Trends in type 2 diabetes prevalence according to income levels in Korea (1998-2012)

There was no significant association between diabetes prevalence and income levels for either sex in 1998. However, the high income level in men and the low income level in women positively related to the odds of diabetes in 2011-2012. Preventive strategies for diabetes should consider the gender-specific economic discrepancy.

Spontaneous Polarization and Bulk Photovoltaic Effect Driven by Polar Discontinuity in LaFeO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} Heterojunctions

Structurally coherent and chemically abrupt interfaces formed between polar and nonpolar perovskite oxides provide an ideal platform for examining the purely electronic reconstruction known as the polar catastrophe and the emergence of mobile or bound charges at the interface. The appearance of mobile charges induced by the polar catastrophe is already established in the LaAlO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} heterojunctions. Although not experimentally verified, the polar catastrophe can also lead to the emergence of spontaneous polarization. We report that thin films of originally nonpolar LaFeO_{3} grown on SrTiO_{3} are converted to polar as a consequence of the polar catastrophe. The induced spontaneous polarization evokes photovoltaic properties distinct from conventional p-n junctions, such as a switching of the photocurrent direction by changing the interfacial atomic sequence. The control of the bulk polarization by engineering the interface demonstrated here will expand the possibilities for designing and realizing new polar materials with photovoltaic functions.

Abstract P1-15-04: Irriversible chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patient

Introduction

Patients with breast cancer who received chemotherapy have distressing side effects such as mucositis, alopecia, gastritis, and BM suppression. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia(CIA) is one of considerable psychological events in self-esteem in patients with breast cancer, but the possibility of irreversible alopecia is often overlooked by physician.

We investigated clinical characteristics of CIA and prevalence of irreversible severe hair loss in patient with breast cancer who received chemotherapy.

Methods

We conducted a survey to collect demographic information about CIA with 150 breast cancer patients who had passed at least 6 months since their last day of chemotherapy from February 2015 to May 2015 in Yonsei Cancer Center. We obtained clinical information as age, elapsed time from end of chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen, and other adjuvant therapy using their electrical medical records. We compared irreversible CIA characters between anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) and taxane based regimen groups. The severe alopecia was defined as the hair density loss over 50% compared to the hair density before chemotherapy.

Results

The mean age at chemotherapy was 48 years old (±17.3) and the mean elapsed time after chemotherapy was 37 months (±9.5) in total patients.

Remnant alopecia was reported in 71 patients (47.3%). Wig or hat were used in 39 patients (26.0%).

The mean satisfaction score with a five-point scale was 4 in patients without alopecia or hair character change and 2.2 in patients with irreversible alopecia (p<0.001). The severe irreversible hair loss was complained by the 12 (8.2%) patients.

AC and taxane based chemotherapy were carried out in 65 and 85 patients, respectively. In AC group, remnant alopecia was shown in 18 patients (27.7%), and more than a half of patients in taxane group, 53 patients (62.4%), showed remnant alopecia (p<0.001). While only five patients (7.8%) in AC group suffered for severe hair loss, 26 patients (31.3%) in taxane group were affected by severe hair loss (p=0.001). The mean satisfaction level of hair status in patients in taxane group was 2.5 as compared to 3.6 in those in AC group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Contrary to general expectation, About a half of breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy complained of irreversible hair loss even though at least 6 months has elapsed since the end of chemotherpy. In particular, patients with taxane based chemotherapy had more irreversible and severe alopecia than those with AC chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Kim S, Park HS, Kim JY, Nam S, Kim GM, Sohn JH, Kim SI. Irriversible chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patient. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-15-04.

Phylogenetic group distributions, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance properties of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections in South Korea

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common diseases by which humans seek medical help and are caused mainly by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Studying the virulence and antibiotic resistance of UPEC with respect to various phylogenetic groups is of utmost importance in developing new therapeutic agents. Thus, in this study, we analysed the virulence factors, antibiotic resistance and phylogenetic groups among various UPEC isolates from children with UTIs. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that majority of the strains responsible for UTIs belonged to the phylogenetic groups B2 and D. Of the 58 E. coli isolates, 79·31% belonged to group B2, 15·51% to group D, 3·44% to group A and 1·72% to B1. Simultaneously, the number of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance exhibited were also significantly high in groups B2 and D compared to other groups. Among the isolates, 44·8% were multidrug resistant and of that 73% belonged to the phylogenetic group B2, indicating the compatibility of antibiotic resistance and certain strains carrying virulence factor genes. The antibiotic resistance profiling of UPEC strains elucidates that the antimicrobial agents such as chloramphenicol, cefoxitin, cefepime, ceftazidime might still be used in the therapy for treating UTIs.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

As the antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogenic Escherichia coli varies depending on different geographical regions, the antibiotic resistance pattern from this study will help the physicians to effectively administer antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections. In addition, the frequency of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes among various phylogenic groups could be effectively used to draw new targets for uropathogenic Escherichia coli antibiotic-independent therapies. The study emphasizes need of public awareness on multidrug resistance and for more prudent use of antimicrobials.

MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis (MASK-rhinitis): the new generation guideline implementation

Several unmet needs have been identified in allergic rhinitis: identification of the time of onset of the pollen season, optimal control of rhinitis and comorbidities, patient stratification, multidisciplinary team for integrated care pathways, innovation in clinical trials and, above all, patient empowerment. MASK-rhinitis (MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) is a simple system centred around the patient which was devised to fill many of these gaps using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools and a clinical decision support system (CDSS) based on the most widely used guideline in allergic rhinitis and its asthma comorbidity (ARIA 2015 revision). It is one of the implementation systems of Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA). Three tools are used for the electronic monitoring of allergic diseases: a cell phone-based daily visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment of disease control, CARAT (Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) and e-Allergy screening (premedical system of early diagnosis of allergy and asthma based on online tools). These tools are combined with a clinical decision support system (CDSS) and are available in many languages. An e-CRF and an e-learning tool complete MASK. MASK is flexible and other tools can be added. It appears to be an advanced, global and integrated ICT answer for many unmet needs in allergic diseases which will improve policies and standards.

Segmentation and surface reconstruction of a cadaver heart on Mimics software

The Visible Korean research team used Mimics software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) for the segmentation and subsequent surface reconstruction of heart structures using information obtained from sectioned images of a cadaver. Twenty-six heart components were outlined in advance on Photoshop (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA, USA). By use of the Mimics, the outlined images were then browsed along with the vertical planes as well as the 3-dimensional surface models, which were immediately built by piling the images. Erroneous delineation was readily detected and revised until satisfactory heart models were acquired. The surface models and the selected sectioned images in horizontal, coronal, and sagittal planes were inputted into a PDF file, where any combinations of reconstructed constituents could be displayed and rotated by the user. Mimics software accelerated the segmentation and surface reconstruction of heart anatomical structures. Similar benefits hopefully result from various serial images of other organs. The PDF file, and plane and stereoscopic image data are being distributed to others, and should prove valuable for medical students and clinicians.

Large anisotropic deformation of skyrmions in strained crystal

Mechanical control of magnetism is an important and promising approach in spintronics. To date, strain control has mostly been demonstrated in ferromagnetic structures by exploiting a change in magnetocrystalline anisotropy. It would be desirable to achieve large strain effects on magnetic nanostructures. Here, using in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that anisotropic strain as small as 0.3% in a chiral magnet of FeGe induces very large deformations in magnetic skyrmions, as well as distortions of the skyrmion crystal lattice on the order of 20%. Skyrmions are stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, originating from a chiral crystal structure. Our results show that the change in the modulation of the strength of this interaction is amplified by two orders of magnitude with respect to changes in the crystal lattice due to an applied strain. Our findings may provide a mechanism to achieve strain control of topological magnetic structures based on the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction.

MacroH2A1 downregulation enhances the stem-like properties of bladder cancer cells by transactivation of Lin28B

The histone variant, macroH2A1, has an important role in embryonic stem cell differentiation and tumor progression in various types of tumors. However, the regulatory roles of macroH2A1 on bladder cancer progression have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that macroH2A1 knockdown promotes stem-like properties of bladder cancer cells. The knockdown of macroH2A1 in bladder cancer cells increased tumorigenicity, radioresistance, degeneration of reactive oxygen species, increased sphere formation capability and an increase in the proportion of side populations. We found that macroH2A1 is required for the suppression of Lin28B identified as a novel downstream target of macroH2A1 in bladder cancer. Loss of macroH2A1 expression significantly correlated with the elevated levels of Lin28B expression and subsequently inhibited the mature let-7 microRNA expression. Furthermore, the stable overexpression of Lin28B enhances the several phenotypes, including tumorigenicity and sphere-forming ability, which are induced by macroH2A1 depletion. Importantly, Lin28B expression was regulated by macroH2A1-mediated reciprocal binding of p300 and EZH2/SUV39H1. Our results suggest that Lin28B/let-7 pathway is tightly regulated by macroH2A1 and its cofactors, and have a pivotal role in the bladder tumor progression and the regulation of stem-like characteristics of bladder cancer cells.

In Vivo Tissue Pharmacokinetics of Carbon-11-Labeled Clozapine in Healthy Volunteers: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

We investigated clozapine (CLZ) tissue pharmacokinetics in vivo by using carbon-11-labeled CLZ (¹¹C-CLZ) and positron emission tomography (PET). Eight healthy volunteers underwent ¹¹C-CLZ studies wherein computed tomography image acquisition was followed by PET scans (whole-body, four; brain, four). After bolus intravenous ¹¹C-CLZ injection, PET images were acquired at various timepoints for 2–3 hours. Tissue ¹¹C-CLZ signals were plotted over time, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. High ¹¹C-CLZ radioactivity was detected in the liver and brain, implying CLZ hepatic metabolism and efficient blood–brain barrier penetration. The urinary and hepatobiliary tracts were involved in ¹¹C-CLZ excretion. Moderate to high radioactivity was observed in the dopaminergic and serotonergic receptor-rich brain regions, indicating CLZ binding to multiple receptor types. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the determination of ¹¹C-CLZ tissue pharmacokinetics in humans. PET using radiolabeled drugs can provide valuable information that could complement plasma pharmacokinetic data.

Factors related with metastasis of right retroesophageal lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer

AIM

Right retroesophageal lymph nodes (RRLNs) should be involved in central lymph nodes (CLNs) dissection in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study assessed the incidence and factors related to RRLNs metastasis.

METHODS

From January 2008 to March 2010, 129 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with CLNs dissection including RRLNs were enrolled. The predictive value of RRLNs metastasis was assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty six (20.1%) of 129 patients exhibited nodal metastasis in RRLNs. Metastasis of RRLNs was associated with large tumor size (>1 cm; P<0.01), multiplicity (P=0.03), preoperative LN enlargement (P<0.01), metastasis of non-retroesophageal lateral LN (P<0.01) and large number of CLNs metastases (P<0.01) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (>1 cm) and metastasis of non-retroesophageal lateral LN were independent correlates of RRLNs metastases.

CONCLUSION

RRLNs may be removed during operation for PTC, particularly in patients with tumor >1 cm and lateral LN metastases.

A case of perforating dermatofibroma with floret-like giant cells

Dermatofibromas are slow-growing solitary nodules, composed mostly of a dermal proliferation of spindle cells and epithelioid cells. Some dermatofibromas present with multinucleated giant cells, such as Touton, foreign body, and osteoclast-like cells. We report a case of dermatofibroma containing both Touton giant cells and floret-type cells. A 12-year-old boy presented with a 6-mm, firm, nontender, dusky-red to greyish dermal nodule on his left popliteal fossa. As suggested clinically by the central opening, perforation of the epidermis with partial extrusion of the dermal components, including macrophages and vertically oriented collagen bundles, via transepidermal elimination, were detected. In the upper dermis, collagen trapping and mostly epithelioid cells with many giant cells were seen, while the lower part contained mainly spindle cells in a storiform pattern. Multinucleated giant cells scattered in the upper dermis were mainly floret-type multinucleated giant cells with star-shaped cytoplasmic projections, associated with some Touton giant cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a perforating dermatofibroma with floret-type multinucleated giant cells.

A magnetic particle time-of-flight (MagPTOF) diagnostic for measurements of shock- and compression-bang time at the NIF (invited)

A magnetic particle time-of-flight (MagPTOF) diagnostic has been designed to measure shock- and compression-bang time using D(3)He-fusion protons and DD-fusion neutrons, respectively, at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This capability, in combination with shock-burn weighted areal density measurements, will significantly constrain the modeling of the implosion dynamics. This design is an upgrade to the existing particle time-of-flight (pTOF) diagnostic, which records bang times using DD or DT neutrons with an accuracy better than ±70 ps [H. G. Rinderknecht et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10D902 (2012)]. The inclusion of a deflecting magnet will increase D(3)He-proton signal-to-background by a factor of 1000, allowing for the first time simultaneous measurements of shock- and compression-bang times in D(3)He-filled surrogate implosions at the NIF.

Magnetization amplified by structural disorder within nanometre-scale interface region

Direct magnetization measurements from narrow, complex-shaped antiphase boundaries (APBs; that is, planar defect produced in any ordered crystals) are vitally important for advances in materials science and engineering. However, in-depth examination of APBs has been hampered by the lack of experimental tools. Here, based on electron microscopy observations, we report the unusual relationship between APBs and ferromagnetic spin order in Fe₇₀Al₃₀. Thermally induced APBs show a finite width (2–3 nm), within which significant atomic disordering occurs. Electron holography studies revealed an unexpectedly large magnetic flux density at the APBs, amplified by approximately 60% (at 293 K) compared with the matrix value. At elevated temperatures, the specimens showed a peculiar spin texture wherein the ferromagnetic phase was confined within the APB region. These observations demonstrate ferromagnetism stabilized by structural disorder within APBs, which is in direct contrast to the traditional understanding. The results accordingly provide rich conceptual insights for engineering APB-induced phenomena.

Atomic disordering in antiphase boundary regions is believed to deteriorate ferromagnetic spin order in many alloys and compounds. Here, using electron microscopy, Murakami et al. report the unusual relationship between thermal antiphase boundaries and ferromagnetic spin order in Fe₇₀Al₃₀.

Optimization of co-digestion of various industrial sludges for biogas production and sludge treatment: methane production potential experiments and modeling

Optimal biogas production and sludge treatment were studied by co-digestion experiments and modeling using five different wastewater sludges generated from paper, chemical, petrochemical, automobile, and food processing industries situated in Ulsan Industrial Complex, Ulsan, South Korea. The biomethane production potential test was conducted in simplex-centroid mixture design, fitted to regression equation, and some optimal co-digestion scenarios were given by combined desirability function based multi-objective optimization technique for both methane yield and the quantity of sludge digested. The co-digestion model incorporating main and interaction effects among sludges were utilized to predict the maximum possible methane yield. The optimization routine for methane production with different industrial sludges in batches were repeated with the left-over sludge of earlier cycle, till all sludges have been completely treated. Among the possible scenarios, a maximum methane yield of 1161.53 m(3) is anticipated in three batches followed by 1130.33 m(3) and 1045.65 m(3) in five and two batches, respectively. This study shows a scientific approach to find a practical solution to utilize diverse industrial sludges in both treatment and biogas production perspectives.

Association between BMP-2 and COL6A1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine in Korean patients and family members

COL6A1 and BMP-2 genes have been implicated in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) susceptibility in Japanese and Chinese Han populations. However, no study has yet investigated the DNA of unaffected family members of patients with OPLL. This study investigated differences in genetic polymorphisms of BMP-2 and COL6A1 between Korean patients with OPLL and their family members (with and without OPLL). A total of 321 subjects (110 patients with OPLL and 211 family members) were enrolled in the study. Associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the BMP-2 gene (Ser37Ala and Ser87Ser) and two SNPs of COL6A1 [promoter (-572) and intron 33 (+20)] with susceptibility to OPLL of the cervical spine were investigated between the two groups (OPLL+ and OPLL-). Of the 321 subjects, 162 had cervical OPLL (50.4%; 110 patients, 52 family members). There was a familial tendency of OPLL in 34 of the 110 families (30.9%). Allele and haplotype frequencies of the four SNPs in the BMP-2 and COL6A1 genes did not differ significantly between the OPLL+ and OPLL- groups, even when excluding participants over 50 years of age. This is the first report identifying SNPs of COL6A1 and BMP-2 in Korean patients and family members with OPLL. Although allele and haplotype frequencies were similar with those of a previous study in Japanese and Chinese patients, unaffected family members also showed similar rates of these SNPs in the present study. These results suggest that these SNPs may not directly influence the expression of OPLL.

PATHOME: an algorithm for accurately detecting differentially expressed subpathways

The translation of high-throughput gene expression data into biologically meaningful information remains a bottleneck. We developed a novel computational algorithm, PATHOME, for detecting differentially expressed biological pathways. This algorithm employs straightforward statistical tests to evaluate the significance of differential expression patterns along subpathways. Applying it to gene expression data sets of gastric cancer (GC), we compared its performance with those of other leading programs. Based on a literature-driven reference set, PATHOME showed greater consistency in identifying known cancer-related pathways. For the WNT pathway uniquely identified by PATHOME, we validated its involvement in gastric carcinogenesis through experimental perturbation of both cell lines and animal models. We identified HNF4α-WNT5A regulation in the cross-talk between the AMPK metabolic pathway and the WNT signaling pathway, and further identified WNT5A as a potential therapeutic target for GC. We have demonstrated PATHOME to be a powerful tool, with improved sensitivity for identifying disease-related dysregulated pathways.

Huge abdominal cyst occurred after kidney transplantation

This case demonstrates continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-related endometrial tissue migration and occurrence of huge cystic endometriosis by the recovery of menstrual period after kidney transplantation.

Relation between sleep duration, overweight, and metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The increasing prevalence of obesity has been paralleled by a trend of reduced sleep duration. Sleep is considered a modulator of neuroendocrine function. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between sleep duration, overweight, and metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was based on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV. Data from 1187 adolescents aged 12-18 years were included in the analysis. Subjects were classified according to self-reported sleep duration: ≤ 5 h, 6-7 h, 8-9 h, and ≥ 10 h. We analysed the association between sleep duration, overweight, and metabolic syndrome after adjustment for potential confounding variables. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher in subjects who slept ≤ 5 h, and triglyceride level was higher in subjects who slept ≥ 10 h. According to logistic regression analysis, subjects who slept ≤ 5 h had a higher risk of overweight (odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-3.57) and elevated blood pressure (BP) (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.22-3.65). We did not find any association between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome. Subjects who slept ≥ 10 h had a higher risk of hypertriglyceridemia (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.14-4.13).

CONCLUSION

Short sleep duration was associated with overweight in adolescents. Although there was no association between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome, short sleep duration was associated with elevated BP and long sleep duration was associated with hypertriglyceridemia.

Gender and age differences in the impact of overweight on obesity-related quality of life among Korean adults

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE

To investigate gender and age difference in impact of overweight on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Korean adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional obesity-related quality of life (QOL) scores were measured by a Korean obesity-related QOL scale (KOQOL) from 448 Korean adults aged 20-80 years. A body mass index (BMI) was categorized with normal-weight as BMI < 23 kg/m(2), overweight as BMI ≥ 23 kg/m(2) based on the alternative cutoff points for Asians. Each gender was respectively stratified by median age, 45 years for men and 50 years for women, to examine the obesity-related QOL by age groups.

RESULTS

Women had a poorer obesity-related QOL compared to men (p < 0.001). In the younger age group, overweight women had a poorer obesity-related QOL compared with normal-weight women (p < 0.001), however normal-weight and overweight men showed no difference in obesity-related QOL. In the older age group, overweight men showed better QOL on the domains of work-related and psychosocial health than those for normal-weight men, but overweight women still suffered from work-related and routine life QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the impact of overweight on obesity-related QOL was different for gender and age group. We should consider the results to manage weight in overweight persons.

Abstract P1-08-35: Androgen receptor expression and changes in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in locally advanced breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose: The associations between androgen receptor (AR) expression, serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) level and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) were investigated in locally advanced breast cancer patients who received NCT.

Methods: Between May 2008 and April 2013, a total of 346 patients underwent NCT mainly based on anthracycline with or without taxane regimens. Biomarkers including AR were immunohistochemically determined using biopsy specimens before NCT and tumors with ≥ 1% nuclear staining were considered positive for AR. Changes in serum DHEA-S levels before and after NCT were examined by chemiluminescent immunoassay (Access DHEA-S, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Brea, CA) in 205 (59.2%) patients. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was defined as the absence of residual invasive carcinomas in the surgical specimens of breast and lymph nodes. Breast cancer subtypes were categorized by immunohistochemistry of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67.

Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 49.7 years (range, 26–76). Clinical tumor size was ≥ 2cm in 243 (70.2%) patients and 318 (91.9%) showed node-positive disease at initial presentation. AR-positive tumor was determined in 195 (56.4%) patients and 95 (27.5%) achieved pCR after NCT. AR-negative tumors were significantly associated with grade III, ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2-negative, high Ki-67 index, and triple-negative subtype tumors. By univariate logistic regression analysis, AR-negative tumor showed significantly higher odds ratio of 1.650 (95% CI, 1.026–2.654; p-value, 0.039) for achievement of pCR. Nevertheless, not AR status but breast cancer subtype, longer duration of NCT and use of targeted agents remained to be significant for pCR by multivariate model. In the analysis of subgroup by breast cancer subtypes, AR-negative tumor was associated with pCR in 75 patients with the low proliferative luminal A subtype, while AR-positive tumor achieved higher pCR in 59 patients with the HER2-positive luminal B subtype. In 205 patients available for serum DHEA-S levels, there was no difference in DHEA-S between pCR and non-pCR groups, although a trend of decrease in DHEA-S after NCT was noted among postmenopausal AR-positive or luminal A subtype women who achieved pCR.

Conclusions: AR expression might predict pCR in locally advanced breast cancer patients who undergo NCT, but this implication could be different according to breast cancer subtypes. Clinical significance of changes in serum DHEA-S levels during NCT remains to be elucidated.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-08-35.

Structure and dynamics of colliding plasma jets

Monoenergetic-proton radiographs of laser-generated, high-Mach-number plasma jets colliding at various angles shed light on the structures and dynamics of these collisions. The observations compare favorably with results from 2D hydrodynamic simulations of multistream plasma jets, and also with results from an analytic treatment of electron flow and magnetic field advection. In collisions of two noncollinear jets, the observed flow structure is similar to the analytic model's prediction of a characteristic feature with a narrow structure pointing in one direction and a much thicker one pointing in the opposite direction. Spontaneous magnetic fields, largely azimuthal around the colliding jets and generated by the well-known ∇T(e)×∇n(e) Biermann battery effect near the periphery of the laser spots, are demonstrated to be "frozen in" the plasma (due to high magnetic Reynolds number Re(M)∼5×10(4)) and advected along the jet streamlines of the electron flow. These studies provide novel insight into the interactions and dynamics of colliding plasma jets.

Phylogenetic relationships of chrysanthemums in Korea based on novel SSR markers

Chrysanthemums are well known for their esthetic and medicinal values. Characterization of chrysanthemums is vital for their conservation and management as well as for understanding their genetic relationships. We found 12 simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs) of 100 designed primers to be polymorphic. These novel SSR markers were used to evaluate 95 accessions of chrysanthemums (3 indigenous and 92 cultivated accessions). Two hundred alleles were identified, with an average of 16.7 alleles per locus. KNUCRY-77 gave the highest polymorphic information content value (0.879), while KNUCRY-10 gave the lowest (0.218). Similar patterns of grouping were observed with a distance-based dendrogram developed using PowerMarker and model-based clustering with Structure. Three clusters with some admixtures were identified by model-based clustering. These newly developed SSR markers will be useful for further studies of chrysanthemums, such as taxonomy and marker-assisted selection breeding.

Associations among SPARC mRNA expression in adipose tissue, serum SPARC concentration and metabolic parameters in Korean women

OBJECTIVE

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is expressed in most tissues and is also secreted by adipocytes. The associations of SPARC mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT), serum SPARC concentration, and metabolic parameters in Korean women are investigated.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. Fifty-eight women were recruited, of whom 15 women who underwent bariatric surgery for morbid obesity (BMI mean ± SD: 40.2±5.7 kg/m(2) ), 16 who underwent metabolic surgery for type 2 diabetes (BMI: 28.9±4.5 kg/m(2) ), and, as a control group, 27 who underwent gynecological surgery (BMI: 22.7±2.4 kg/m(2) ). Anthropometric variables, metabolic parameters, SPARC mRNA expression in adipose tissue, and serum SPARC concentration were measured.

RESULTS

In all subjects, SPARC mRNA expression was significantly higher in SAT than in VAT. Serum SPARC concentrations (mean ± SE) in morbidly obese subjects, subjects with type 2 diabetes, and normal weight subjects were 267.3±40.2 ng/mL, 130.4±33.0 ng/mL, and 53.1±2.8 ng/mL, respectively. SPARC mRNA in SAT was significantly correlated with BMI, whereas SPARC mRNA in VAT was significantly correlated with BMI and VAT area. Serum SPARC concentration was significantly correlated with BMI, waist circumference, total adipose tissue area, and SAT area. After BMI adjustment, serum SPARC concentration was significantly correlated with fasting insulin concentration and HOMA-IR score. Multivariate regression analysis showed that BMI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with serum SPARC concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum SPARC concentration is significantly correlated with obesity indices and might be influenced by insulin resistance. These findings suggest that SPARC may contribute to the metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity in humans.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, obesity and the metabolic syndrome among Korean children

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Evidence of the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk factors in children is limited. We investigated the associations between serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) and obesity and metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We recruited 1660, nine-year-old, Korean children (904 boys and 756 girls) who voluntarily participated in this study while being examined during school-based health examinations. We measured anthropometric variables (height and weight), metabolic parameters (blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol levels) and serum vitamin D levels. We analyzed the data using multivariate logistic regression models. Mean 25(OH)D levels were lower in children defined as obese or abdominally obese (P <0.001). When serum levels of 25(OH)D were divided into quartiles, BMI, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels were lower, and HDL cholesterol levels were higher, as vitamin D levels increased. Using children from the highest quartile of 25(OH)D levels as a referent, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) for obesity in those in the third, second, and lowest quartiles of 25(OH)D levels were 1.55 (1.01-2.40), 1.87 (1.22-2.85), and 2.59 (1.71-3.90), respectively (P for trend <0.001). For abdominal obesity the ORs (CI) were 2.08 (1.20-3.60), 2.32 (1.36-3.95), and 2.96 (1.75-5.00) (P for trend<0.001), and for metabolic syndrome they were 2.60 (1.08-6.30), 4.00 (1.73-9.26), and 4.25 (1.84-9.85), respectively (P for trend <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found low vitamin D levels in Korean children to be associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Insufficient serum vitamin D levels in children may be a risk factor of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Focal nodular hyperplasia: characterisation at gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the enhancement patterns of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI.

METHODS

This retrospective study had institutional review board approval. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced and DW MR images were evaluated in 23 patients with 30 FNHs (26 histologically proven and 4 radiologically diagnosed). The lesion enhancement patterns of the hepatobiliary phase images were classified as heterogeneous or homogeneous signal intensity (SI), and as dominantly high/iso or low SI compared with those of adjacent liver parenchyma. Heterogeneous (any) SI lesions and homogeneous low SI lesions were categorised into the fibrosis group, whereas homogeneous high/iso SI lesions were categorised into the non-fibrosis group. Additionally, lesion SI on T2 weighted images, DW images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The lesions showed heterogeneous high/iso SI (n=16), heterogeneous low SI (n=5), homogeneous high/iso SI (n=7) or homogeneous low SI (n=2) at the hepatobiliary phase MR images. The fibrosis group lesions were more likely to show high SI on DW images and T2 weighted images compared with those in the non-fibrosis group (p<0.05). ADC values tended to be lower in the fibrosis group than those in the non-fibrosis group without significance.

CONCLUSION

FNH showed variable enhancement patterns on hepatobiliary phase images during gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. SI on DW and T2 weighted images differed according to the fibrosis component contained in the lesion.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

FNH shows a wide spectrum of imaging findings on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and DW MRI.

Characterization of co-digestion of industrial sludges for biogas production by artificial neural network and statistical regression models

The characteristics and impact of industrial sludges of paper, chemical, petrochemical, automobile, and food industries situated in the Ulsan Industrial Complex, Ulsan, Republic of Korea in co-digestion for biogas production were assessed by artificial neural network (ANN) and statistical regression models. The regression model was based on a simplex-centroid mixture design and the ANN was based on a resilient back-propagation algorithm (topology 5-7-1). Using connection weights and bias of the trained ANN model, the impact of each sludge of co-digestion was assessed using Garsons' algorithm. Results suggested that the modelling and predictability of ANN were superior to the regression model with accuracy (A(f)) 1.01, bias (B(f)) 1.00, root mean square error 3.56, and standard error of prediction 2.51%. Sludge from the chemical industry showed the highest impact on specific methane yield (SMY(VS)) with a relative importance of 28.59% followed by sludges from paper (20.07%), food (19.59%), petrochemical (15.92%), and automobile (15.82%) industries. The interactions between diverse industrial sludges were successfully modelled and partitioned into various synergistic and antagonistic effects on SMY(VS). Synergistic interactions between the chemical industry sludge and either petrochemical or food industry sludges on SMY(VS) were detected. However, strong negative interaction between automobile sludge and other sludges was observed. This study indicates that though the ANN model performed better in prediction and impact assessments, the regression model reveals the synergistic and antagonistic interactions among sludges.

Rescue endoscopic bleeding control for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage using clipping and detachable snaring

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding recurs after appropriate endoscopic therapy in 10 % - 15 % of cases. The mortality rate can be as high as 25 % when bleeding recurs, but there is no consensus about the best modality for endoscopic re-treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate clipping and detachable snaring (CDS) for rescue endoscopic control of nonvariceal UGI hemorrhage. We report a case series of seven patients from a Korean tertiary center who underwent endoscopic hemostasis using the combined method of detachable snares with hemoclips. The success rate of endoscopic hemostasis with CDS was 86 %: six of the seven patients who had experienced primary endoscopic treatment failure or recurrent bleeding after endoscopic hemostasis were treated successfully. In conclusion, rescue endoscopic bleeding control by means of CDS is an option for controlling nonvariceal UGI bleeding when no other method of endoscopic treatment for recurrent bleeding and primary hemostatic failure is possible.

Statins and prostate cancer recurrence following radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In this meta-analysis, we evaluated associations between statins and recurrence-free survival (RFS) following treatment of localized prostate cancer, with attention to potential benefits among patients treated primarily with radiotherapy (RT) versus radical prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified original studies examining the effect of statins on men who received definitive treatment of localized prostate cancer using a systematic search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases through August 2012. Our search yielded 17 eligible studies from 794 references; 13 studies with hazard ratios (HRs) for RFS were included in the formal meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, statins did not affect RFS (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74-1.08). However, in RT patients (six studies), statins were associated with a statistically significant improvement in RFS (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.49-0.93); this benefit was not observed in radical prostatectomy patients (seven studies). Sensitivity analyses suggested that primary treatment modality may impact the effect of statins on prostate cancer recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis suggests a potentially beneficial effect of statins on prostate cancer patients treated with RT but not among radical prostatectomy patients. Although limited by the lack of randomized data, these results suggest that primary treatment modality should be considered in future studies examining associations between statins and oncologic outcomes.

Association of transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene polymorphism with genetic susceptibility to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Korean patients

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligaments (OPLL) has been considered to be associated with abnormalities of bone metabolism, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been demonstrated to affect the bone remodeling process. We investigated two SNPs of the TGF-β1 promoter (-509C>T; rs1800469) and exon 1 (869T>C; rs1982073) in 298 Koreans (98 patients with OPLL and 200 control subjects). The promoter SNP -509C>T was determined by PCR and RFLP, and the TaqMan probe assay was used to determine 869T>C polymorphism genotypes. The subjects were divided into OPLL continuous group (continuous type plus mixed type) and OPLL segmental group (segmental and localized type). We also separately analyzed this association according to gender difference. There was no significant difference in genotype distributions of -509C>T and 869T>C polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene between OPLL patients and controls. A combined analysis of TGF-β1 -509C>T and 869T>C polymorphisms showed no significant association with OPLL, and a subgroup analysis did not show any significant correlation between the SNP -509C>T or SNP 869T>C and OPLL subgroups. Stratification by gender demonstrated no significant effect. We conclude that promoter region (-509C>T) and exon 1 (869T>C) polymorphisms are not associated with OPLL in the Korean population.

Predictors of renal relapse in Korean patients with lupus nephritis who achieved remission six months following induction therapy

Renal relapse in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) is a risk factor for poor renal function. Therefore, there is a need to identify clinical and serological risk factors for renal relapse. A total of 108 patients with LN were enrolled in this study. All the subjects had achieved complete remission or partial remission following six months of induction therapy. We retrospectively analyzed their clinical and laboratory indices, final renal function, and kidney biopsy findings. The median follow-up period after LN diagnosis was 81 months. Renal relapse had occurred in 36 patients; it occurred in 38% and 46% of patients within five and 10 years after achievement of renal remission, respectively. There was no difference between the relapsed rate in patients with complete remission and that in those with partial remission. Clinical variables at LN onset and renal biopsy findings in the patients with sustained remission and relapsed patients were also not different. The probability of renal relapse was significantly higher in patients with an earlier age of onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (≤ 28 years versus >28 years; HR 7.308, P = 0.001), seronegativity for anti-Ro antibody (seronegativity versus seropositivity; HR 3.514, P = 0.007), and seropositivity for anti-dsDNA antibody at six months after initiation of induction therapy (HR 8.269, P = 0.001). Our study demonstrated that early onset of SLE, seronegativity for anti-Ro antibody and increased anti-dsDNA antibody following six months of induction therapy independently predict renal relapse among the LN patients.

The efficacy of i-SCAN for detecting reflux esophagitis: a prospective randomized controlled trial

New imaging technologies have been applied in endoscopy to improve the detection and differentiation of subtle mucosal changes using a digital contrast method. Among them, i-SCAN technology is the most recently developed image-enhancing technology. We investigated whether i-SCAN could improve the detection rate of reflux esophagitis. Interobserver agreement between endoscopists was compared with conventional white light (WL) endoscopic examination. We performed a prospective randomized controlled trial. A consecutive series of 514 subjects that underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy for health inspection were enrolled and randomized into the i-SCAN group (n = 246) and WL group (n = 268). An esophagogastroduodenoscopy with video recording was used for detecting reflux esophagitis, and reflux esophagitis were categorized by the modified Los Angeles (LA) classification. The total number of reflux esophagitis identified by WL and i-SCAN was 58 (21.7%) and 74 (30.1%), respectively. The diagnostic yield of reflux esophagitis was significantly higher (P = 0.034) in the i-SCAN group (30.1%) as compared to the WL group (21.6%). Using the modified LA classification, the detection rate of minimal changes was significantly higher (P = 0.017) in the i-SCAN group (11.8%) as compared to the WL group (5.6%), but the detection rates of LA-A and LA-B were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.897 and P = 0.311, respectively). After comparison of the interobserver agreement using randomly selected video clips, the i-SCAN group showed better agreement than the WL group (Kappa value, 0.793 vs. 0.473). Compared to WL endoscopy, applying i-SCAN in daily practice can improve the diagnostic yield of reflux esophagitis by detecting more minimal changes in the squamo-columnar junction of the esophagus and can improve the interobserver agreement of the modified Los Angeles classification.

Resveratrol prevents renal lipotoxicity and inhibits mesangial cell glucotoxicity in a manner dependent on the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC1α axis in db/db mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Many of the effects of resveratrol are consistent with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), which play key roles in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis, and in the control of oxidative stress. We investigated whether resveratrol has protective effects on the kidney in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Four groups of male C57BLKS/J db/m and db/db mice were used in this study. Resveratrol was administered via gavage to diabetic and non-diabetic mice, starting at 8 weeks of age, for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The db/db mice treated with resveratrol had decreased albuminuria. Resveratrol ameliorated glomerular matrix expansion and inflammation. Resveratrol also lowered the NEFA and triacylglycerol content of the kidney, and this action was related to increases in the phosphorylation of AMPK and the activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling and of the key downstream effectors, the PPARα-oestrogen-related receptor (ERR)-1α-sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1). Furthermore, resveratrol decreased the activity of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt phosphorylation and class O forkhead box (FOXO)3a phosphorylation, which resulted in a decrease in B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-associated X protein (BAX) and increases in BCL-2, superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 and SOD2 production. Consequently, resveratrol reversed the increase in renal apoptotic cells and oxidative stress, as reflected by renal 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), urinary 8-OH-dG and isoprostane concentrations. Resveratrol prevented high-glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured mesangial cells through the phosphorylation of AMPK and activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling and the downstream effectors, PPARα-ERR-1α-SREBP1.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The results suggest that resveratrol prevents diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice by the phosphorylation of AMPK and activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling, which appear to prevent lipotoxicity-related apoptosis and oxidative stress in the kidney.

Abstract P1-01-23: Increased Diagnostic Performance of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Combined with Radiologic-pathologic Factors After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients with Cytologically Proven Node Metastasis at Diagnosis

Background: It is undetermined whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is feasible and accurate for predicting final nodal status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in breast cancer patients with cytologically proven node metastasis at the time of diagnosis, although currently completion node dissection is a standard surgical procedure for the management of axilla. The aim of this study was to investigate diagnostic performance of SLNB after NCT in this subgroup.

Methods: Of 374 patients with T1-T3 breast cancer who received NCT, 178 had initially biopsy proven axillary/supraclavicular metastasis and subsequently underwent SLNB using radioisotope alone followed by completion node dissection between 2008 and 2011. Detection rate, sensitivity, false negative rate (FNR), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of SLNB were retrospectively analyzed and it was explored using regression analysis whether combination with clinicopathologic factors improved performance.

Results: At initial presentation, 60.7% of patients were cT2 stage and 88.2% treated with concurrent or sequential anthracycline plus taxane preoperatively. SLNB was successfully performed in 169 (94.9%) patients. The mean number of sentinel and regional nodes retrieved was 2.1 ± 1.6 and 12.8 ± 6.3, respectively. Tumoral non-responder and extensive residual nodal disease were significantly associated with detection failure of SLNB. Conversion to node-negative disease was noted in 69 (40.8%) patients. Sensitivity, FNR, NPV, and accuracy of SLNB were 78.0%, 22.0%, 75.8%, and 87.0%, respectively and diagnostic performance increased when ≥ 3 sentinel nodes were evaluated. By logistic regression model, tumoral and nodal responder, absent lymphovascular invasion (LVI), estrogen receptor (ER)-negativity, and HER2-positivity were significantly associated with node-negative disease after NCT. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.890 to 0.949 when considering radiologic-pathologic factors and FNR was the lowest value of 14.3% in 46 patients with tumoral responder, absent LVI, and ER-negative tumor.

Conclusions: SLNB was technically feasible but solely showed higher FNR in this study. Improved diagnostic performance of SLNB combined with radiologic-pathologic characteristics suggests possible clinical value of SLNB after NCT in highly selected patients with node metastasis at diagnosis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-23.

Abstract P2-05-03: Mouse double minute 2 nuclear expression as a prognostic marker in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) is a negative regulator of tumor suppressor, p53, thus Mdm2 expression may play a role in cancer development and prognosis, however, the definite role of Mdm2 in breast cancer is unclear. The aim of the study is to evaluate the correlation between Mdm2 expression and prognosis of breast cancer.

METHODS: Mdm2 expression was determined from immunohistochemistry of tissue microarrays of 865 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival data were analyzed using a univariate and multivariate analysis. Mdm2 expression was categorized into 3 groups: negative; no Mdm2 expression in nucleus and cytoplasm, cytoplasm-positive; cytoplasmic expression of Mdm2, nucleus-positive; nuclear with or without cytoplastimc expression of Mdm2.

RESULTS: Negative, cytoplasm-positive, and nucleus-positive groups were observed in 59.2%, 10.9%, and 29.9% of patients, respectively. Nucleus-positive group was associated with young age, high grade, negativity of estrogen and progesterone receptor, HER2 positivity, and high Ki-67 index. With median 86.0 follow-up months, nucleus-positive group showed poorer disease-free survival and overall survival than negative and cytoplasm-positive groups. In multivariate analysis, cytoplsmic expression of Mdm2 was not significantly associated with survival, whereas nuclear expression of Mdm2 was related to poor prognosis. (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.041–1.993 for DFS; HR, 1.546; 95% CI, 1.060–2.255 for OS)

CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear expression of Mdm2 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer. Patterns of Mdm2 expression in tumor cell should be rendered in the evaluation of Mdm2 in breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-03.

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA): achievements in 10 years and future needs

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma represent global health problems for all age groups. Asthma and rhinitis frequently coexist in the same subjects. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) was initiated during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999 (published in 2001). ARIA has reclassified AR as mild/moderate-severe and intermittent/persistent. This classification closely reflects patients' needs and underlines the close relationship between rhinitis and asthma. Patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are confronted with various treatment choices for the management of AR. This contributes to considerable variation in clinical practice, and worldwide, patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are faced with uncertainty about the relative merits and downsides of the various treatment options. In its 2010 Revision, ARIA developed clinical practice guidelines for the management of AR and asthma comorbidities based on the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. ARIA is disseminated and implemented in more than 50 countries of the world. Ten years after the publication of the ARIA World Health Organization workshop report, it is important to make a summary of its achievements and identify the still unmet clinical, research, and implementation needs to strengthen the 2011 European Union Priority on allergy and asthma in children.

Aspirin-sensitive asthma: recent advances in management

AbstractAspirin (ASA)-sensitive asthma is characterised by a typical sequence of symptoms, including intense eosinophilic inflammation of nasal and bronchial tissues. It is more commonly found in non-atopic, middle-aged female asthmatic patients with chronic rhino-sinusitis and/or nasal polyps. The lysine-aspirin bronchoprovocation test has become a widely used diagnostic test. When ASA-sensitive asthma is confirmed, complete avoidance of ASA/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) is crucial in preventing life-threatening adverse reactions. The basic principle of pharmacotherapy is step-wise treatment based upon anti-inflammatory therapy. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy and anti-leukotriene agents may be indicated for treatment of the underlying disease.ASA desensitisation may reduce inflammatory mucosal disease symptoms,particularly in the nasal passage.

Neutron spectrometry--an essential tool for diagnosing implosions at the National Ignition Facility (invited)

DT neutron yield (Y(n)), ion temperature (T(i)), and down-scatter ratio (dsr) determined from measured neutron spectra are essential metrics for diagnosing the performance of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). A suite of neutron-time-of-flight (nTOF) spectrometers and a magnetic recoil spectrometer (MRS) have been implemented in different locations around the NIF target chamber, providing good implosion coverage and the complementarity required for reliable measurements of Y(n), T(i), and dsr. From the measured dsr value, an areal density (ρR) is determined through the relationship ρR(tot) (g∕cm(2)) = (20.4 ± 0.6) × dsr(10-12 MeV). The proportionality constant is determined considering implosion geometry, neutron attenuation, and energy range used for the dsr measurement. To ensure high accuracy in the measurements, a series of commissioning experiments using exploding pushers have been used for in situ calibration of the as-built spectrometers, which are now performing to the required accuracy. Recent data obtained with the MRS and nTOFs indicate that the implosion performance of cryogenically layered DT implosions, characterized by the experimental ignition threshold factor (ITFx), which is a function of dsr (or fuel ρR) and Y(n), has improved almost two orders of magnitude since the first shot in September, 2010.

A novel particle time of flight diagnostic for measurements of shock- and compression-bang times in D3He and DT implosions at the NIF

The particle-time-of-flight (pTOF) diagnostic, fielded alongside a wedge range-filter (WRF) proton spectrometer, will provide an absolute timing for the shock-burn weighted ρR measurements that will validate the modeling of implosion dynamics at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In the first phase of the project, pTOF has recorded accurate bang times in cryogenic DT, DT exploding pusher, and D(3)He implosions using DD or DT neutrons with an accuracy better than ±70 ps. In the second phase of the project, a deflecting magnet will be incorporated into the pTOF design for simultaneous measurements of shock- and compression-bang times in D(3)He-filled surrogate implosions using D(3)He protons and DD-neutrons, respectively.

A new compact, high sensitivity neutron imaging system

We have developed a new small neutron imaging system (SNIS) diagnostic for the OMEGA laser facility. The SNIS uses a penumbral coded aperture and has been designed to record images from low yield (10(9)-10(10) neutrons) implosions such as those using deuterium as the fuel. This camera was tested at OMEGA in 2009 on a rugby hohlraum energetics experiment where it recorded an image at a yield of 1.4 × 10(10). The resolution of this image was 54 μm and the camera was located only 4 meters from target chamber centre. We recently improved the instrument by adding a cooled CCD camera. The sensitivity of the new camera has been fully characterized using a linear accelerator and a (60)Co γ-ray source. The calibration showed that the signal-to-noise ratio could be improved by using raw binning detection.

Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells are increased in the early stages of halo nevi: clinicopathological features of 30 halo nevi

BACKGROUND

There have been few clinical studies of the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in halo formation of halo nevus.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinicopathologic features and the presence of Tregs in halo nevi.

METHODS

We analyzed 30 halo nevi and performed immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against CD4, CD8, CD25 and Foxp3. We also performed double immunohistochemical staining for Foxp3 and CD25.

RESULTS

We found significant increases in Foxp3(+) Tregs, and the shorter the halo nevus duration, the more Foxp3(+) Tregs were detected. Also, the ratio of Foxp3 to CD8 T cells was increased in early stages of halo nevi. Double immunohistochemical staining suggested that the Tregs in the halo nevi were CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Foxp3(+) Tregs were greatly increased in the halo nevi. The shorter the halo nevi duration, the more Foxp3(+) Tregs were involved in the earlier developmental stages of halo nevi.

Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol is associated with diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To determine whether there is a relationship between 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), a marker of postprandial hyperglycaemia and glycaemic variability, and the presence of diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Five hundred and sixty-seven patients with Type 2 diabetes (serum creatinine < 133 μmol/l), who were enrolled in the Seoul Metro-City Diabetes Prevention Program (SMC-DPP), were cross-sectionally assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, sex, binary HbA(1c) levels, duration of diabetes, triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, history of hypertension and dyslipidaemia, and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker medication, the odds ratios (95% CI) of diabetic retinopathy were 2.86 (1.12-7.25) for the first (lowest) quartile of 1,5-anhydroglucitol, 2.87 (1.25-6.61) for the second quartile and 0.88 (0.35-2.22) for the third quartile compared with the fourth quartile (P for trend = 0.010). Conversely, the associations between 1,5-anhydroglucitol and clinical albuminuria were non-significant after adjustment. Subjects with low 1,5-anhydroglucitol (< 10.0 μg/ml) were more likely to experience diabetic retinopathy than those with high 1,5-anhydroglucitol (≥ 10.0 μg/ml) under moderate glucose control (HbA(1c) < 8%, 64 mmol/mol) and there were no significant differences in the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy between the subgroup with HbA(1c) < 8% (64 mmol/mol) and low 1,5-anhydroglucitol and the subgroup with HbA(1c) ≥ 8% (64 mmol/mol).

CONCLUSIONS

1,5-Anhydroglucitol levels show close associations with diabetic retinopathy, especially among patients under moderate glucose control, but not with albuminuria. These results suggest that 1,5-anhydroglucitol might be a complementary marker for targeting higher risk group.

Clinical usefulness of 3-dimensional computerized tomographic renal angiography to detect transplant renal artery stenosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 3-dimensional computerized tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) is useful to detect transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS).

METHODS

Fourteen patients with clinically suspected TRAS underwent color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and 3D-CTA before renal angiography. We compared 3D-CTA and CDU for accuracy based on the results of renal angiography. The safety of 3D-CTA was investigated by measuring the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after the 3D-CTA examination.

RESULTS

The 10 men and 4 women who participated in this study showed a mean eGFR of 75 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (range 60-94). Of these, 9 patients were diagnosed with TRAS. 3D-CTA detected stenoses in all 9 patients, but CDU failed to detect it in 3, including, 2 with end-to-side arterial anastomoses, which may be more challenging to detect compared with end-to-end anastomoses. The stenotic area in 3D-CTA was similar to that detected by renal angiography (70 ± 12 vs 68 ± 11). The eGFR did not differ significantly before versus after the 3D-CTA examination; 72 ± 13 vs 69 ± 14 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

CONCLUSIONS

3D-CTA was an effective safe method to detect renal artery stenosis among transplant recipients with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

Reduction of breast cancer cell migration via up-regulation of TASK-3 two-pore domain K+ channel

AIM

Many kinds of K(+) channels are expressed in a variety of cells, including cancer cells. However, only a small amount of research has explored the relationship between voltage-independent K(+) channels and breast cancer. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in two-pore domain K(+) (K(2P) ) channel expression levels are related to the migration of human breast cancer cells.

METHODS

K(2P) channel gene/protein expression levels were compared between MCF-7 (a non-invasive cell) and MDA-MB-231 (an invasive cell) using reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The relationship between K(2P) channel expression level and cell migration was analysed using gene overexpression and knock-down techniques. Functional expression of TASK-3 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was recorded using patch-clamp technique.

RESULTS

Of K(2P) channels, TASK-3 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in MCF-7 cells compared with those in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overexpression of TASK-3 in breast cancer cells reduced migration and invasion, whereas silencing of TASK-3 increased the migration and invasion. The TASK-3 expression level was decreased by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a PKC activator. PMA also enhanced the cell migration in MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results show that an increase in TASK-3 expression levels, which could be modulated by PKC activation, reduces cell migration/invasion in breast cancer cells and suggest that modulation of TASK-3 expression may regulate metastasis of breast cancer cells.

P3-07-07: Effect of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy without Axillary Lymph Node Dissection on Overall Survival in Patients with T1 or T2 Node-Positive Breast Cancer: A Report from the Korean Breast Cancer Society

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is accepted as an alternative method to axillary lymph node dissection for staging axillary lymph node status in clinically node-negative breast cancer. Current practical guidelines recommend that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) should be performed in cases with sentinel node metastasis, and most of node-positive patients should receive adjuvant systemic therapy to reduce locoregional/distant recurrence and to improve overall survival irrespective of the number of lymph node metastasis. However, patients with ALND are more likely to develop lymphedema than those with SLNB alone, and appropriate systemic chemotherapy or hormone therapy significantly reduce locoregional and distant recurrence in early breast cancer patients. For this reason, the previous prospective study, American College of Surgeon Oncology Group Z0011 trial, was conducted and it suggested that there is no difference in overall survival between node-positive patients who received breast conserving treatment with SLNB alone and those with ALND after SLNB. This study is aimed to evaluate the difference of survival between node-positive patients who underwent SLNB alone and those who received ALND after SLNB using the Korean Breast Cancer Society registry.

Methods: In 87671 patients with breast cancer in the registry, we enrolled 2581 patients who meet the eligible criteria in the study. All enrolled patients had T1 or T2 breast cancer, and received mastectomy or breast conserving treatment followed by documented adjuvant systemic therapy between Jan. 2001 and Apr. 2011. Log-rank test and Cox-proportional hazard model were used to access the difference of overall survival according to the axillary procedure.

Results: There were 197 patients with SLNB alone and 2384 patients with ALND after SLNB, respectively. Smaller tumor size, lower number of nodal metastasis, and higher proportion of breast conserving surgery were shown in patients with SLNB alone than in those with ALND after SLNB. There was no significant difference in overall survival between 2 groups in the log-rank test. ALND after SLNB showed no significant improvement on overall survival in Cox-propotional hazard model adjusted by tumor size, number of nodal metastasis, and operation type (P=0.78, HR=0.73, 95% CI=0.08−6.62).

Conclusion: The current study suggests that ALND after SLNB in cases with sentinel lymph node metastasis may not influence on the improvement of overall survival and supports the results of Z0011 trial. Further validation studies are necessary to expand the understanding of the role of performing SLNB alone in patients with node-positive breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-07.