[Fatal cardiac tamponade that developed in the post-anesthesia care unit: a rare complication after lung lobectomy]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cardiac tamponade is potentially fatal medical condition, which rarely occurs as a complication of lung lobectomy. We present the first case of cardiac tamponade to develop in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit following a lung lobectomy.

CASE REPORT

A 54-year-old man with pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma underwent an apparently uncomplicated lung lobectomy. His hemodynamics was unremarkable throughout the surgery and initially in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. However, after 5min in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, he suddenly became hypotensive and dyspneic. He responded poorly to inotropics and fluid resuscitation. Transesophageal echocardiography conducted by an anesthesiologist who suspected a cardiac etiology revealed a pericardial effusion compressing the heart. After a failed attempt of pericardiocentesis, an emergency pericardial window operation was performed. The patient improved dramatically once the heart was decompressed.

CONCLUSION

Since cardiac tamponade is generally not suspected as a cause of hemodynamic instability after a lung lobectomy, as it was in this case, a misdiagnosis of the patient's condition may have led to improper management resulting in death. As anesthesiologists are often involved in the initial resuscitation of morbid patients in Post-Anesthesia Care Units, their acquaintance with various postoperative complications and competence in echocardiography for assessing cardiac problems may contribute to patient survival.

The relationship between clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis: analysis from the nationwide epidemiologic study for psoriasis in Korea (EPI-PSODE study)

BACKGROUND

Psychological aspect and quality of life should be considered in treating patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to ascertain which clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions are associated with impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

The EPI-PSODE study was a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Korea that included 1260 adult patients with psoriasis. In addition to clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions, data were collected using the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Screening and Evaluation (PASE), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire Psoriasis (WPAI: PSO) and Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ).

RESULTS

Patients with a DLQI score > 5 (n = 990) were younger, had an earlier onset of psoriasis, scored higher on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), had higher body surface area (BSA) and had higher PASE scores than patients with DLQI ≤ 5 (n = 266). The group of patients with exposed lesions (n = 871) were younger and male predominance, earlier onset of psoriasis, longer disease duration, higher PASI/BSA score and a higher proportion with drinking and smoking history each than the group of patients without exposed lesions (n = 389). Presence of exposed lesions negatively influenced DLQI, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) (mental component), presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and total activity impairment in the WPAI: PSO. In multiple regression model, PASI score was the only variable which was significantly associated with all HRQoL measures. Presence of exposed lesions was a significant factor affecting DLQI and SF-36 (mental).

CONCLUSION

The presence of exposed lesions has a negative impact on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. Therefore, effective treatments are particularly needed for psoriasis patients with exposed lesions.

Measurements of Multiparticle Correlations in d+Au Collisions at 200, 62.4, 39, and 19.6 GeV and p+Au Collisions at 200 GeV and Implications for Collective Behavior

Recently, multiparticle-correlation measurements of relativistic p/d/^{3}He+Au, p+Pb, and even p+p collisions show surprising collective signatures. Here, we present beam-energy-scan measurements of two-, four-, and six-particle angular correlations in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200, 62.4, 39, and 19.6 GeV. We also present measurements of two- and four-particle angular correlations in p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. We find the four-particle cumulant to be real valued for d+Au collisions at all four energies. We also find that the four-particle cumulant in p+Au has the opposite sign as that in d+Au. Further, we find that the six-particle cumulant agrees with the four-particle cumulant in d+Au collisions at 200 GeV, indicating that nonflow effects are subdominant. These observations provide strong evidence that the correlations originate from the initial geometric configuration, which is then translated into the momentum distribution for all particles, commonly referred to as collectivity.

Salicylic Acid Reduces OmpF Expression, Rendering Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium More Resistant to Cephalosporin Antibiotics

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of the most important bacterial pathogens causing diarrhea. The resistance of S. typhimurium to antimicrobial agents, which has recently been isolated from patients, is causing serious problems. We investigated the effects of salicylic acid (Sal) and acetyl salicylate (AcSal) on the susceptibility of S. typhimurium to cephalosporin antibiotics, which are known to increase resistance to cephalosporin and quinolone antibiotics. The MIC of cephalosporin antibiotics was higher than that of the media without Sal. The rate of accumulation of ethidium bromide (EtBr) in the bacteria by the outer membrane protein (Omp) was not different from that of the bacteria cultured in the medium containing Sal. However, Carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), an inhibitor of bacterial efflux pumps, significantly reduced the rate of accumulation of EtBr in bacteria cultured on Sal containing medium. In the medium containing CCCP, the MIC of the antimicrobial agent tended to decrease as compared with the control. In addition, the MIC of the bacteria treated with CCCP and Sal was higher than that of the antimicrobial agent against the CCCP treated experimental bacteria. These results suggest that Sal decreases the expression of OmpF in the Omp of S. typhimurium and reduces the permeability of cephalosporin antibiotics to bacteria, which may induce tolerance to cephalosporin antibiotics.

Non-communicable diseases and risk of tuberculosis in Korea

BACKGROUND

It is possible that the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are an obstacle to the reduction of tuberculosis (TB) incidence in the Republic of Korea.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate population-attributable fractions (PAF) of NCDs and their risk factors related to TB in Korea.

DESIGN

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), current smoking, heavy drinking and undernutrition was estimated from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted in 2013. Estimates of effect for risk factors were obtained from meta-analyses. The PAF was calculated based on these data.

RESULTS

The PAF of DM, current smoking, heavy drinking and undernutrition was 20.0%, 18.8%, 18.4% and 9.6%, respectively. Current smoking has the highest PAF among men, while undernutrition was the highest among women. Current smoking and heavy drinking were significantly attributed to TB among the younger population, while DM was the most common responsible factor among the older population. Major risk factors such as current smoking and DM were more prevalent in the lower income level population.

CONCLUSION

NCDs and their risk factors play an important role at the population level in TB epidemics in Korea. Collaborative TB and NCD activities in TB control should therefore be intensified.

Burden of disease and risk factors for death among children treated for tuberculosis in Malawi

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of childhood death. Patient-level data on pediatric TB in Malawi that can be used to guide programmatic interventions are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To describe pediatric TB case burden, disease patterns, treatment outcomes, and risk factors for death and poor outcome.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing routine data. Odds ratios (ORs) for factors associated with poor outcome and death were calculated using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

Children represented 8% (371/4642) of TB diagnoses. The median age was 7 years (interquartile range 2.8-11); 32.8% (113/345) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected. Of these, 54.0% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the time of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) initiation, 21.2% started ART during ATT, and 24.8% had no documented ART. The treatment success rate was 77.3% (11.2% cured, 66.1% completed treatment), with 22.7% experiencing poor outcomes (9.5% died, 13.2% were lost to follow-up). Being on ART at the time of ATT initiation was associated with increased odds of death compared to beginning ART during treatment (adjusted OR 2.75, 95%CI 1.27-5.96).

CONCLUSION

Children represent a small proportion of diagnosed TB cases and experience poor outcomes. Higher odds of death among children already on ART raises concerns over the management of these children. Further discussion of and research into pediatric-specific strategies is required to improve case finding and outcomes.

Nuclear Dependence of the Transverse-Single-Spin Asymmetry for Forward Neutron Production in Polarized p+A Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

During 2015, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) provided collisions of transversely polarized protons with Au and Al nuclei for the first time, enabling the exploration of transverse-single-spin asymmetries with heavy nuclei. Large single-spin asymmetries in very forward neutron production have been previously observed in transversely polarized p+p collisions at RHIC, and the existing theoretical framework that was successful in describing the single-spin asymmetry in p+p collisions predicts only a moderate atomic-mass-number (A) dependence. In contrast, the asymmetries observed at RHIC in p+A collisions showed a surprisingly strong A dependence in inclusive forward neutron production. The observed asymmetry in p+Al collisions is much smaller, while the asymmetry in p+Au collisions is a factor of 3 larger in absolute value and of opposite sign. The interplay of different neutron production mechanisms is discussed as a possible explanation of the observed A dependence.

Magnetic resonance imaging, gadolinium neutron capture therapy, and tumor cell detection using ultrasmall Gd2O3 nanoparticles coated with polyacrylic acid-rhodamine B as a multifunctional tumor theragnostic agent

Monodisperse and ultrasmall gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) nanoparticle colloids (d_avg = 1.5 nm) (nanoparticle colloid = nanoparticle coated with hydrophilic ligand) were synthesized and their performance as a multifunctional tumor theragnostic agent was investigated. The aqueous ultrasmall nanoparticle colloidal suspension was stable and non-toxic owing to hydrophilic polyacrylic acid (PAA) coating that was partly conjugated with rhodamine B (Rho) for an additional functionalization (mole ratio of PAA : Rho = 5 : 1). First, the ultrasmall nanoparticle colloids performed well as a powerful T₁ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent: they exhibited a very high longitudinal water proton relaxivity (r₁) of 22.6 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹ (r₂/r₁ = 1.3, r₂ = transverse water proton relaxivity), which was ∼6 times higher than those of commercial Gd-chelates, and high positive contrast enhancements in T₁ MR images in a nude mouse after intravenous administration. Second, the ultrasmall nanoparticle colloids were applied to gadolinium neutron capture therapy (GdNCT) in vitro and exhibited a significant U87MG tumor cell death (28.1% net value) after thermal neutron beam irradiation, which was 1.75 times higher than that obtained using commercial Gadovist. Third, the ultrasmall nanoparticle colloids exhibited stronger fluorescent intensities in tumor cells than in normal cells owing to conjugated Rho, proving their pH-sensitive fluorescent tumor cell detection ability. All these results together demonstrate that ultrasmall Gd₂O₃ nanoparticle colloids are the potential multifunctional tumor theragnostic agent.

Ultrasmall Gd₂O₃ nanoparticle colloids coated with PAA and Rho-PAA were synthesized and applied to T₁ MRI, GdNCT and fluorescent tumor cell detection.

A study on setting of the fatigue limit of temporary dental implants

A temporary dental implant is a medical device which is temporarily used to support a prosthesis such as an artificial tooth used for restoring patient's masticatory function during implant treatment. It is implanted in the oral cavity to substitute for the role of tooth. Due to the aging and westernization of current Korean society, the number of tooth extraction and implantation procedures is increasing, leading to an increase in the use and development of temporary dental implants. Because an implant performs a masticatory function in place of a tooth, a dynamic load is repeatedly put on the implant. Thus, the fatigue of implants is reported to be the most common causes of the fracture thereof. According to the investigation and analysis of the current domestic and international standards, the standard for fatigue of implant fixtures is not separately specified. Although a test method for measuring the fatigue is suggested in an ISO standard, it is a standard for permanent dental implants. Most of the test standards for Korean manufacturers and importers apply 250 N or more based on the guidance for the safety and performance evaluation of dental implants. Therefore, this study is intended to figure out the fatigue standard which can be applied to temporary dental implants when measuring the fatigue according to the test method suggested in the permanent dental implant standard. The results determined that suitable fatigue standards of temporary dental implants should be provided by each manufacturer rather than applying 250 N. This study will be useful for the establishment of the fatigue standards and fatigue test methods of the manufacturers and importers of temporary dental implants.

Occupational Risk of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Health Workers of 14 Military Hospitals

Tuberculosis (TB) is a known occupational risk to health workers. Identifying risk factors in health care settings is critical to the prevention of TB for health workers and patients. In 2014, we carried out a TB screening and survey for 902 health workers from 14 selected military hospitals to determine the prevalence rate of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as well as occupational risk factors. Of all subjects, 19.5% reported having provided TB patient care for 1 year or more (176/902), and 26.9% (243/902) were positive for the tuberculin skin test (TST) (10 mm or more of induration). Additionally, 21.4% (52/243) of those who tested positive were also positive for the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). The proportion of LTBI in the study population was 5.8% (52/902). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, providing TB patient care for one year or more was the only significant occupational risk factor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-4.56). This study suggests that military health workers working with TB patients should be regularly examined by chest radiography, TST and IGRA to detect LTBI in the early stage and control nosocomial infection of TB.

Autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas not associated with Crohn's disease: a phase II clinical trial for safety and efficacy

PURPOSE

Injection of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) is a novel method for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ASCs in the treatment of complex anal fistulas not associated with Crohn's disease.

METHODS

A phase II clinical trial was performed comparing two different doses of ASCs (group 1: 1 × 10⁷ cells/mL and group 2: 2 × 10⁷ cells/mL). Eligible patients were administered an amount of ASCs proportional to the length of the fistula by injection into the submucosal layer surrounding the internal opening and inside of the fistula tract. ASCs at twice the initial concentration were administered if complete closure was not achieved within 8 weeks. The efficacy endpoint was the complete closure of fistulas 8 weeks after injection. Patients demonstrating complete closure at week 8 were subjected to follow-up for 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were injected with ASCs; thirteen completed the study. Complete closure was observed in 69.2% (9/13) of patients at 8 weeks. Three of five patients in group 1, and six of eight in group 2 displayed complete closure; no significant differences were observed between the groups. Six of nine patients who showed complete closure participated in additional follow-up; five (83.3%) showed persistent response at 6 months. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were observed; observed AEs were not related to ASC treatment.

CONCLUSION

ASCs might be a good option for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas are not healed by conventional operative procedures.

Educational Inequality in Obesity-Related Mortality in Korea

The prevalence of obesity has been increasing worldwide, which raises concerns about the disease burden associated with obesity. Socioeconomic status (SES) has been suggested to be associated with obesity and obesity related diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the time trend in socioeconomic inequality in obesity-related mortality over the last decade in Korean population. We evaluated the influence of education level, as an indicator of SES, on obesity-related mortality using death data from the Cause of Death Statistics and the Korean Population and Housing Census databases. The rate ratio of the mortality of people at the lowest education level as compared with those at the highest education level (relative index of inequality [RII]) was estimated using Poisson regression analysis. Between 2001 and 2011, RII (95% confidence interval) for overall obesity-related disease mortality increased from 2.10 (2.02-2.19) to 6.50 (6.19-6.82) in men, and from 1.94 (1.79-2.10) to 3.25 (3.05-3.45) in women, respectively. Cause-specifically, the same trend in RII was found for cardiovascular mortality and mortality from diabetes mellitus, whereas the RII of mortality from obesity-related cancers in men did not show the similar trend. Subgroup analysis stratified by age revealed that the RII of obesity-related mortality was much higher in younger people than in older people. In conclusion, there has been persistent socioeconomic inequality in obesity-related mortality in Korea, which was more evident in younger people than in older people and has been deepened over the last decade especially for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Abstract P5-05-05: The role and regulation mechanism of HOXB5 in human breaset cancer cells

HOX genes are transcription factors that play important roles in body patterning and cell fate specification during normal development. Among of these, HOXB5, is involved in a variety of developmental processes, particularly during the enteric nervous system (ENS) development, and thus, abnormalities in HOXB5 function during embryo stages lead to Hirschsprung's disease. Importantly, many HOX genes, including HOXB5, are expressed not only during embryogenesis but also in adults and are dysregulated in various cancers. In a previous study, we found aberrant overexpression of HOXB5 in breast cancer tissues and cell lines and demonstrated that HOXB5 is important in the regulation of cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. Also, HOXB5 induces invasive potential through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The relationship between HOXB5 and phenotypic changes in MCF7 breast cancer cells has been studied, however, HOXB5 functions as a transcription factor and its involvement in signaling pathways remain unclear. In this study, we selected putative downstream target genes of HOXB5, such as interleukin (IL)-6, Snail2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by PCR array analysis. These genes have been reported to be involved in cacner progression, which is characterised by increased growth speed and invasiveness of the tumor cells. Here, we discovered that HOXB5 transcriptionally upregulates the promoter activity of these genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis to confirm direct binding of HOXB5 to the promoter region is now ongoing. Since we found that HOXB5 induces EGFR protein expression and SRC phosphorylation, we will further investigate signaling pathway components to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of HOXB5 action in breast cancer.

Citation Format: Kim JM, Lee J-Y, Kim MH. The role and regulation mechanism of HOXB5 in human breaset cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-05-05.

Passive Q-switching of microchip lasers based on Ho:YAG ceramics

A Ho:YAG ceramic microchip laser pumped by a Tm fiber laser at 1910 nm is passively Q-switched by single- and multi-layer graphene, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and Cr²⁺:ZnSe saturable absorbers (SAs). Employing SWCNTs, this laser generated an average power of 810 mW at 2090 nm with a slope efficiency of 68% and continuous wave to Q-switching conversion efficiency of 70%. The shortest pulse duration was 85 ns at a repetition rate of 165 kHz, and the pulse energy reached 4.9 μJ. The laser performance and pulse stability were superior compared to graphene SAs even for a different number of graphene layers (n=1 to 4). A model for the description of the Ho:YAG laser Q-switched by carbon nanostructures is presented. This modeling allowed us to estimate the saturation intensity for multi-layered graphene and SWCNT SAs to be 1.2±0.2 and 7±1  MW/cm², respectively. When using Cr²⁺:ZnSe, the Ho:YAG microchip laser generated 11 ns/25 μJ pulses at a repetition rate of 14.8 kHz.

Impact of caudal block on postoperative complications in children undergoing tubularised incised plate urethroplasty for hypospadias repair: a retrospective cohort study

This study aimed to assess the association between caudal block and postoperative complications after tubularised incised plate urethroplasty. The medical records of 388 paediatric patients who underwent urethroplasty at a tertiary medical centre were analysed retrospectively. Among the 342 patients included, 216 patients received a caudal block and 72 (21.1%) patients suffered surgical complications. The number of patients having surgical complications was significantly greater among patients who received a caudal block than among patients who did not receive a caudal block (53 (24.5%) versus 19 (15.1%), respectively, p = 0.04). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, duration of surgery, caudal block and hypospadias types were independent risk factors for the surgical complications. Patients with caudal block had an odds ratio of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.14-3.81, p = 0.018) for the development of postoperative complications compared with patients without caudal block. This analysis demonstrates that caudal block is associated with surgical complications after tubularised incised plate urethroplasty.

In vivo monitoring of CD44+ cancer stem-like cells by γ-irradiation in breast cancer

There is increasing evidence that cancer contains cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are capable of regenerating a tumor following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CD44 and CD133 are used to identify CSCs. This study investigated non-invasive in vivo monitoring of CD44-positive cancer stem-like cells in breast cancer by γ-irradiation using molecular image by fusing the firefly luciferase (fLuc) gene with the CD44 promoter. We generated a breast cancer cell line stably expressing fLuc gene by use of recombinant lentiviral vector controlled by CD44 promoter (MCF7-CL). Irradiated MCF7-CL spheres showed upregulated expression of CD44 and CD133, by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Also, gene expression levels of CSCs markers in irradiated spheres were clearly increased. CD44⁺ CSCs increased fLuc expression and tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. When MCF7-CL was treated with siCD44 and irradiated, CD44 expression was inhibited and cell survival ratio was decreased. MCF7-CL subsets were injected into the mice and irradiated by using a cobalt-60 source. Then, in vivo monitoring was performed to observe the bioluminescence imaging (BLI). When breast cancer was irradiated, relative BLI signal was increased, but tumor volume was decreased compared to non-irradiated tumor. These results indicate that increased CD44 expression, caused by general feature of CSCs by irradiation and sphere formation, can be monitored by using bioluminescence imaging. This system could be useful to evaluate CD44-expressed CSCs in breast cancer by BLI in vivo as well as in vitro for radiotherapy.

Clinical application of the ProVent score in Korean patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation: A 10-year experience in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital

PURPOSE

We evaluated the clinical usefulness of a prognostic scoring system ("the ProVent score") in Korean patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 184 patients in a medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2004 and December 2013.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 65 years, and 66.8% were male. One-year mortality was 67.4%. On day 21 of mechanical ventilation, the ProVent score was 0 in 13 patients (7.1%), 1 in 39 patients (21.2%), 2 in 73 patients (39.7%), 3 in 42 patients (22.8%), and greater than or equal to 4 in 17 patients (9.2%). For patients with a ProVent score ranging from 0 to greater than or equal to 4, 1-year mortality was 46.2%, 53.8%, 68.5%, 76.2%, and 88.2%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curves of 1-year survival for each ProVent score showed statistically significant differences (log-rank test: P = .001). Logistic regression analysis showed that only thrombocytopenia was independently associated with 1-year mortality in our cohort (odds ratio = 4.786, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, the ProVent score could be applied to predict 1-year mortality for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation in Korea. Among variables contributing to this score, only thrombocytopenia was an independent prognostic factor for 1-year mortality.

Serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: a multinational study of 2622 patients under the auspices of the International Association of Pancreatology and European Pancreatic Club (European Study Group on Cystic Tumors of the Pancreas)

OBJECTIVES

Serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) is a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas whose natural history is poorly known. The purpose of the study was to attempt to describe the natural history of SCN, including the specific mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective multinational study including SCN diagnosed between 1990 and 2014.

RESULTS

2622 patients were included. Seventy-four per cent were women, and median age at diagnosis was 58 years (16-99). Patients presented with non-specific abdominal pain (27%), pancreaticobiliary symptoms (9%), diabetes mellitus (5%), other symptoms (4%) and/or were asymptomatic (61%). Fifty-two per cent of patients were operated on during the first year after diagnosis (median size: 40 mm (2-200)), 9% had resection beyond 1 year of follow-up (3 years (1-20), size at diagnosis: 25 mm (4-140)) and 39% had no surgery (3.6 years (1-23), 25.5 mm (1-200)). Surgical indications were (not exclusive) uncertain diagnosis (60%), symptoms (23%), size increase (12%), large size (6%) and adjacent organ compression (5%). In patients followed beyond 1 year (n=1271), size increased in 37% (growth rate: 4 mm/year), was stable in 57% and decreased in 6%. Three serous cystadenocarcinomas were recorded. Postoperative mortality was 0.6% (n=10), and SCN's related mortality was 0.1% (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

After a 3-year follow-up, clinical relevant symptoms occurred in a very small proportion of patients and size slowly increased in less than half. Surgical treatment should be proposed only for diagnosis remaining uncertain after complete workup, significant and related symptoms or exceptionally when exists concern with malignancy. This study supports an initial conservative management in the majority of patients with SCN.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

IRB 00006477.

Comparison of MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the preoperative evaluation of uterine carcinosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the validities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and (18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in preoperative evaluation of uterine carcinosarcoma.

METHODS

Pathologic results of primary tumor lesions and paraaortic and pelvic lymph node (LN) areas were compared with the preoperative image findings. Differences in the validity parameters of both images were compared using McNemar test.

RESULTS

For detecting primary tumor lesions (n=56), the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for (18)F-FDG PET/CT versus MRI were 98.1% versus 98.1% (P=1.000), 33.3% versus 100% (P=0.157), 94.6% versus 98.2% (P=0.500), 96.3% versus 100%, and 50% versus 75%, respectively. For paraaortic LN areas, the values were 77.8% versus 51.9% (P=0.016), 90.2% versus 100% (P=0.025), 85.9% versus 83.3% (P=0.774), 80.8% versus 100%, and 88.5% versus 79.7%, respectively. For pelvic LN areas, the values were 61.1% versus 50% (P=0.125), 86.8% versus 89.5% (P=0.727), 78.6% versus 76.8% (P=0.774), 68.8% versus 69.2%, and 82.5% versus 79.1%, respectively. For extrauterine disease, the patient-based values for (18)F-FDG PET/CT were 100%, 78.9%, 85.7%, 69.2%, and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In patients with uterine carcinosarcoma, (18)F-FDG PET/CT is comparable to MRI in detecting primary uterine lesions. For predicting LN metastases, though (18)F-FDG PET/CT might be insufficient for replacing lymphadenectomy or MRI, it might allow lymphadenectomy to be omitted in poor surgical candidates. For detecting extrauterine metastases, it could also be useful to identify unsuspected disease.

Suppression of TGFβ and Angiogenesis by Type VII Collagen in Cutaneous SCC

BACKGROUND

Individuals with severe generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), an inherited blistering disorder caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene, develop unexplained aggressive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Here we report that loss of type VII collagen (Col7) in SCC results in increased TGFβ signaling and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Stable knockdown (KD) of Col7 was established using shRNA, and cells were used in a mouse xenograft model. Angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry, endothelial tube-forming assays, and proteome arrays. Mouse and zebrafish models were used to examine the effect of recombinant Col7 on angiogenesis. Findings were confirmed in anonymized, archival human tissue: RDEB SCC tumors, non-EB SCC tumors, RDEB skin, normal skin; and two human RDEB SCC cell lines. The TGFβ pathway was examined using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, biochemical inhibition, and siRNA. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Increased numbers of cross-cut blood vessels were observed in Col7 KD compared with control xenografts (n = 4 to 7 per group) and in RDEB tumors (n = 21) compared with sporadic SCC (n = 24, P < .001). Recombinant human Col7 reversed the increased SCC angiogenesis in Col7 KD xenografts in vivo (n = 7 per group, P = .04). Blocking the interaction between α2β1 integrin and Col7 increased TGFB1 mRNA expression 1.8-fold and p-Smad2 levels two-fold. Increased TGFβ signaling and VEGF expression were observed in Col7 KD xenografts (n = 4) compared with control (n = 4) and RDEB tumors (TGFβ markers, n = 6; VEGF, n = 17) compared with sporadic SCC (TGFβ markers, n = 6; VEGF, n = 21). Inhibition of TGFβ receptor signaling using siRNA resulted in decreased endothelial cell tube formation (n = 9 per group, mean tubes per well siC = 63.6, SD = 17.1; mean tubes per well siTβRII = 29.7, SD = 6.1, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Type VII collagen suppresses TGFβ signaling and angiogenesis in cutaneous SCC. Patients with RDEB SCC may benefit from anti-angiogenic therapy.

Yes associated protein is a poor prognostic factor in well-differentiated lung adenocarcinoma

The Hippo pathway is a highly conserved potent regulator of cell growth and apoptosis including large tumor suppressor (LATS) and Yes-associated protein (YAP). LATS has been regarded as a tumor suppressor gene and YAP as either of a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene. We investigated their expression in lung adenocarcinoma. YAP and LATS protein expression was assessed in 167 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas and compared with clinicopathologic factors. Disease free survival and overall survival were also evaluated. YAP expression was noted in cytoplasm (48 cases; 28.7%), nuclear (34; 20.4%) and both locations (4; 2.4%). The nuclear expression was typically observed in well differentiated adenocarcinoma. LATS was expressed in cytoplasm when its signal is weak. Perinuclear expression of LATS was observed when it is strongly expressed. While cytoplasmic and nuclear YAP expressions were inversely related. In well differentiated adenocarcinoma patients, YAP nuclear expression was related with more frequent relapse. Both of nuclear YAP and LATS expression were more frequently observed in well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, YAP expression exhibited more frequent relapse in well differentiated adenocarcinoma group. We suggest that YAP may act as an oncogene and predict poorer prognosis in well differentiated lung adenocarcinoma.