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FNA-Tg measurement is highly reliable in the diagnosis of neck metastases in PTC patients, even in cases of negative-stimulated Tg or positive TgAb. However, high-serum TgAb levels could interfere with FNA-Tg measurements and thereby result in falsely low FNA-Tg levels.

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Purpose: Promoting the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important aim of nursing care for immigrant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of HRQOL and its relationships with social support, acculturative stress, and depression among Vietnamese immigrant women. Method: A total of 216 Vietnamese immigrant women residing in South Korea participated in the study. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including measures of social support, acculturative stress, depression, and HRQOL. For statistical analyses, a path analysis was applied. Results: Social support, acculturative stress, depression, and HRQOL were interrelated. Acculturative stress and depression directly influenced the mental health component of HRQOL, whereas social support indirectly influenced HRQOL through acculturative stress and depression. Only depression directly influenced the physical health component of HRQOL. Conclusion: Results suggest that social support and acculturative stress are related factors in preventing depression and promoting HRQOL, especially mental health, among Vietnamese immigrant women.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions on cardiopulmonary function and body composition in women with breast cancer. Of 24 relevant studies reviewed, 10 studies (N = 588) met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that aerobic exercise significantly improved cardiopulmonary function as assessed by absolute VO2 peak (standardized mean difference [SMD] .916, p < .001), relative VO2 peak (SMD .424, p < .05), and 12-minute walk test ( SMD .502, p < .001). Similarly, aerobic exercise significantly improved body composition as assessed by percentage body fat (SMD -.890, p < .001), but body weight and lean body mass did not change significantly. Aerobic exercise during or after cancer adjuvant therapy seems to be an effective means of improving cardiopulmonary function and decreasing percentage body fat in women with breast cancer. Further studies are needed to examine the long-term benefits of aerobic exercise.

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Background and Purpose-Limited data are available concerning the outcome of angioplasty/stenting for subacute atherosclerotic intracranial artery occlusion, which is often associated with progressive symptom development in the salvageable brain under ischemic threat due to poor collateral blood supply. Methods-Among 177 patients who underwent angioplasty and/or stenting for severe symptomatic intracranial stenoocclusion, 26 had subacute atherosclerotic intracranial artery occlusion. Outcome after stenting (Nϭ22) was assessed according to procedural success (return of antegrade flow and residual stenosis Ͻ50%), adverse event (any stroke or death) rate, and restenosis (Ͼ50%) using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression in the overall cohort and in separate subgroups. Results-Successful recanalization was achieved in 95%. Three adverse events (13.6%) occurred among patients undergoing stenting for occlusion, including 2 major strokes and 1 nonprocedure-related death. Good outcome (modified Rankin Scale Յ2) was achieved in 73%. In the overall cohort, no significant difference was observed between the occlusion and stenosis groups in terms of the risk of adverse events (hazard ratio for the occlusion group, 1.055; 95% CI, 0.29 -3.90) or the risk of restenosis (hazard ratio for the occlusion group, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.19 -7.72). A trend toward a higher rate of adverse events was observed in older age (Ͼ65 years), progressive worsening, balloon-expandable stent, and no history of a preprocedural P2Y12 assay. Conclusions-In a cohort of patients undergoing angioplasty/stenting for subacute atherosclerotic intracranial artery occlusion, no significant difference in the rates of adverse events was observed. However, several factors, including age, tended to be associated with a higher event rate. (Stroke. 2011;42:3470-3476.)

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether malignant-looking thyroid nodules with size reduction were malignant or not.MethodsFrom November 2010 to July 2011, we retrospectively enrolled 16 patients with 16 nodules (11 females and five males; mean age, 55 years) who underwent core needle biopsy (CNB), and whose thyroid nodules had malignant ultrasonographic (US) features, although they showed size reduction (>20% decrease in maximum diameter) during the follow-up period (mean, 37±27 months). The histologic findings of the CNB specimen were reviewed and correlated with the US findings. US studies were analyzed for their internal content, shape, margin, echogenicity, the presence of microcalcification and macrocalcification, inner isoechoic rim, and low-echoic halo.ResultsAll nodules were confirmed as benign by CNB. Pathologic analysis was available for 12 CNB specimens. US imaging showed central hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity in all cases and a peripheral isoechoic rim in 15 nodules. US-pathologic correlation showed that the central hypoechoic area was primarily composed of fibrosis (12/12) and hemorrhage (8/12) and that the isoechoic rim was composed of follicular cells.ConclusionIn our study, the CNB results of all of the malignant-looking thyroid nodules with size reduction were benign and were primarily composed of internal fibrosis and hemorrhage. Understanding these US and pathologic features could prevent repeated fine-needle aspiration or unnecessary diagnostic surgery.