No abstract

No abstract

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI) are negative regulators of cell cycle progression by binding the cyclin-CDK complex and inhibiting the CDK activity. Genetic alteration in the CDKI genes has been implicated for carcinogenesis. To test the genetic alteration in the p27 and p57 genes, KIP family CDKI genes, 30 gastric tumor-normal pairs and 8 gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed for mutations by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). No mutation was detected in these genes although length polymorphisms in the proline-alanine repeat of the p57 gene were detected. When the p27 and p57 mRNAs were analyzed in gastric cancer cell lines by RT-PCR, the p27 mRNA was expressed considerably high in tumor cells but expression of the p57 mRNA was much low in gastric cancer cell lines compared to that of normal cells. The result suggests that inactivation of gene expression rather than mutations in the p57 gene accounts possibly for the involvement of this gene in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. However, expression of the p27 gene seems to be essential for cell survival.

No abstract

BackgroundHypertrophic scar following a burn is caused by the excessive deposit of collagen resulting in an exaggerated wound healing response. The burn patient complains of pain and itching over the scar, which can give rise to cosmetic and functional problems.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological correlation of a hypertrophic burn scar for itching and pain sensations.MethodsThirty-eight patients underwent a scar release and skin graft. the modified Vancouver scar scale and the verbal numerical rating scale were recorded. All biopsies were taken from scar tissue (scar) and normal tissue (normal). Histologically, tissues were observed in the epidermis, the monocytes around the vessels, the collagen fiber, elastic fiber, and the mast cells.ResultsThe mean total score of MVSS was 8.4±2.7 (pliability 2.0±0.9; thickness 1.8±0.9; vascularity 2.0± 0.9; and pigmentation 2.1±0.9). Pain and itching were 2.4±2.0 and 2.9±3.0. Epidermis were 7.9±2.8 layers (scar) and 4.0±0.8 layers (normal). The collagen fibers were thin and dense (scar) and thicker and loose (normal). The elastic fibers were thin and nonexistent (scar) and thin and loose (normal). Mast cells were 11.2±5.8/high power field (scar) and 7.4±4.1 (normal).ConclusionAs the scar tissue thickens, the itching becomes more severe. The stiffness of the scar with the pain appeared to be associated with the condition of the tissue. The correlation between clinical and histological post-burn hypertrophic scars will help further studies on the scar. This helped with the development of the base material for therapeutic strategies.

BackgroundTumor-induced lymphangiogenesis plays a crucial role in metastasis and tumor progression. However, the significance of intratumoral lymphovascular density (I-LVD) and peritumoral lymphovascular density (P-LVD) has been controversial in gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of clinicopathologic characteristics with respect to I-LVD and P-LVD in gastric cancer.MethodsSamples of I-LVD and P-LVD from 66 patients who had undergone radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were assessed after staining with D2-40, an immunostaining marker for lymphatic endothelium. The mean number of lymphatic vessels in three hotspots was calculated in intratumoral and peritumoral areas.ResultsThe peritumoral lymphatics were enlarged with dilated lumens compared to the intratumoral lymphatics. I-LVD was positively correlated with diffuse gastric cancer subtype, tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, tumor node metastasis stage, and overall survival (P <0.05). P-LVD was associated with lymphovascular invasion, node stage, and disease-free survival (P <0.05).ConclusionsWe conclude that P-LVD had an important role in lymph node metastasis, while I-LVD was more associated with depth of tumor invasion. However, both LVDs contributed to gastric cancer progression and prognosis.

Whole Blood and Red Blood Cell Manganese Reflected Signal Intensities of T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images better thanPlasma Manganese in Liver Cirrhotics: Younghee CHOI, et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, South Korea-We examined whole blood (MnB), red blood cell (MnRBC), plasma (MnP) and urinary Mn (MnU) concentrations in 22 liver cirrhotics and 10 healthy controls to evaluate Mn concentration in which a fraction of biological samples best reflects pallidal signal intensities (pallidal index; PI) on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) in liver cirrhotics. Increased signal intensity in the globus pallidus was observed in 18 (81.8%) of the 22 patients with liver cirrhosis. In a transplanted patient, increased pallidal signals also resolved as his liver function tests normalized after liver transplantation. There were significant correlations between MnB/MnRBC and PI (ρ=0.529, ρ=0.573, respectively) in liver cirrhotics, although no significant correlation was observed between MnP/MnU and PI. According to a multiple linear regression, MnB and MnRBC reflected the signal intensities of T1-weighted MRI better than MnP or MnU. (J Occup Health 2005; 47: 68-73)

Background Stiff knees, like completely ankylosed or arthrodesed knees, can be painless. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for these painless, stiff knees is technically demanding. However, it can correct the alignment and advance the range of motion to improve quality of life. So, we reviewed the preoperative and postoperative results of functional and pain scores, range of motion (ROM) and complications in painless, stiff knees treated by TKA. Methods Fifteen painless, stiff knees underwent TKA from January 1998 to January 2017. The mean follow-up period was 15.4 (2.4–22.2) years. All the knees were completely ankylosed or arthrodesed. Clinical outcome and complications were evaluated using medical record review, serial plan radiography, ROM assessment, Knee Society score (KSS), Knee Society function score (FS), and a visual analog scale for pain (VAS). Results All patients were satisfied with their operated knees. Mean KSS and FS scores were improved from 36 and 50.9 to 76.9 and 67.2, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.01). The mean ROM increased from 0º preoperatively to 77.6º (15–130) at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean VAS had worsened from 0 preoperatively to 0.2 postoperatively, however it was not significant (P = 0.1). Major postoperative complications were reported in five of the knees (33.3%). Conclusions The results of TKA for painless, stiff knees were satisfactory with improved ROM and quality of life. Although some patients had mild pain and complications postoperatively, they were satisfied with the result. However, our study recommends that surgeons should consider the high rate of complications in the completely ankylosed or arthrodesed knees. Level of evidence A retrospective case series, Level IV.