The value of type IV collagen immunohistochemical staining in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases

Autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases (AISBDs) exhibit various clinical presentations, histological appearances, prognoses, and responses to treatment. Many diagnostic techniques, such as direct immunofluorescence (IF), indirect salt-split skin IF, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, are used in the differential diagnoses of AISBDs. However, these techniques require fresh frozen tissue, expensive laboratory equipment, and sophisticated laboratory techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of type IV collagen immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the differential diagnosis of AISBDs. Paraffin-embedded blocks of skin biopsies were selected from 28 patients with autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases. Among these 28 cases, 24 patients exhibited bullous pemphigoid (BP), 2 exhibited epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), 1 exhibited linear immunoglobulin A dermatosis (LAD), and 1 exhibited bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE). Sections were stained for type IV collagen and examined to determine the location of type IV collagen in the subepidermal blister. Type IV collagen positivity was observed on the base of the subepidermal blister in patients with BP (24 of 24 cases) and LAD (1 of 1 case). Staining was observed on the roof of the blister in patients with EBA (2 of 2 cases) and BSLE (1 of 1 case), and irregular staining was also observed on the base in patients with EBA. In conclusion, type IV collagen IHC staining is a simple and useful diagnostic technique for the differential diagnosis of AISBDs. .042) compared with controls. The filiform papillae had partially or completely regenerated in 85.7% of cases in the test group and in 23.1% of the controls (P=0.001). Red patches with raised keratotic rims may have healed spontaneously and reappeared in constantly changing patterns that are typical for MG. This phenomenon was not observed in patients supplemented with zinc, and new atrophy areas occurred in only one case. Low-dose zinc gluconate supplementation may have a positive therapeutic effect on tongue epithelium regeneration and symptomatology in patients with MG.   in our region were consistent with those from other studies. </p

Note: A simple-structured anode exchangeable X-ray tube

An anode exchangeable X-ray tube of very simple structure was developed. Aluminum, chromium, and copper anode targets were prepared and used to investigate X-ray spectra. X-ray images of a thin wood plate were taken using those targets. The measured energies of the characteristic X-rays of each target agreed well with the presented results. The difference of resolution and brightness of each image was found based on MTF values and intensities. The developed X-ray tube can give high durability, and higher quality X-ray images of an arbitrary object by exchanging anode targets.open1

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality and Survival in 2006-2007

Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Korea. Korea is facing a very rapid change and increase in cancer incidence, which draws much attention in public health. This paper overviews the nationwide cancer statistics, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates, and their trends in Korea based on the cancer incidence data from The Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) in year 2006 and 2007. In Korea, there were 153,237 cancer cases and 65,519, cancer deaths observed in 2006, and 161,920 cancer cases and 67,561 cancer deaths in 2007, respectively. The incidence rate for all cancer combined showed an annual increase of 2.8% from 1999 to 2007. Specifically, there was significant increase in the incidence of colorectal, thyroid, female breast, and prostate cancers. The number of cancer deaths has increased over the past two decades, due mostly to population aging, while the age-standardized mortality rates have decreased in both men and women since 2002. Notable improvement has been observed in the 5-yr relative survival rates for most major cancers and for all cancer combined, with the exception of pancreatic cancer. The nationwide cancer statistics in this paper will provide essential data for cancer research and evidence-based health policy in Korea

Development of targetable two-photon fluorescent probes to image hypochlorous acid in mitochondria and lysonsome in live cell and inflamed mouse model

Journal of the American Chemical Society137185930-593

Modulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism in Aged and Photoaged Human Skin In Vivo

To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to date to directly compare the collagen metabolism of photoaged and naturally aged human skin. In this study, we compared collagen synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels, and gelatinase activity of sun-exposed and sun-protected skin of both young and old subjects. Using northern blot analysis, immunohistochemical stain, and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that the levels of procollagen type I mRNA and protein in photoaged and naturally aged human skin in vivo are significantly lower than those of young skin. Furthermore, we demonstrated, by northern blot analysis, that the procollagen α1(I) mRNA expression of photoaged skin is much greater than that of sun-protected skin in the same individual. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical stain were used to show that the expression of type I procollagen mRNA and protein in the fibroblasts of photoaged skin is greater than for naturally aged skin. In addition, it was found, by Western blot analysis using protein extracted from the dermal tissues, that the level of procollagen type I protein in photoaged skin is lower than that of naturally aged skin. The level of matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were higher in the dermis of photoaged skin than in naturally aged skin. Our results suggest that the natural aging process decreases collagen synthesis and increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, whereas photoaging results in an increase of collagen synthesis and greater matrix metalloproteinase expression in human skin in vivo. Thus, the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation leading to collagen deficiency is different in photoaged and naturally aged skin

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality and Survival in 2005

Cancer has been the most common cause of death in Korea since 1983 and is a major public health concern. This paper overviews the nationwide cancer statistics, including incidence, mortality, and survival rates, and their trends in Korea. In 2005, 142,610 new cancer cases and 65,117 cancer deaths occurred in Korea. The incidence rate for all cancer combined increased by 2.6% annually from 1999 to 2005. Significant increases have occurred in the incidence of colorectal, thyroid, female breast, and prostate cancers. The number of cancer deaths has increased over the past two decades, due mostly to population aging, while the age-standardized mortality rates have decreased in both men and women since 2002. Notable improvement has been observed in the 5-yr relative survival rates for most major cancers and for all cancer combined, with the exception of pancreatic cancer. The nationwide cancer statistics in this paper will provide essential data for evidence-based decisions in the national cancer control program in Korea

Eosinophilic myositis in a slaughtered Korean native cattle

Histopathological findings of eosinophilic myositis in the carcass of a slaughtered Korean native cow are presented. Lesions contained massive fibrous septae with vacuolar changes in some lesions, and the hypercontraction and rupturing of muscle bundles, with replacement by eosinophils. Necrosis and severe eosinophil infiltration were observed. Sarcoplasmic fragmentation and atrophy developed. Typical of granuloma, calcified myofibers were focally surrounded by macrophages and numerous inflammatory cells, and multinucleated giant cell formation was evident

A Case of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Combined with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

This is the first report of papillary thyroid carcinoma combined with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) in Korea. MEN1 is a hereditary disease comprising neoplastic disorders such as pituitary, parathyroid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, such as gastrinoma. But papillary thyroid cancer was never regarded as its component before in Korea. Herein we present a 39-year-old woman who manifested typical features of MEN1 with a coincidental papillary thyroid carcinoma. Although the family history of MEN1 was definite, her genetic analysis of DNA had revealed no germline mutation in MEN1 gene locus. Unidentified culprit gene unable us further genetic study to find LOH (loss of heterogeneity) in 11q13, the possible explanation of papillary thyroid carcinoma as a new component of MEN1. As we have first experienced a case of MEN1 combined with papillary thyroid carcinoma in Korea, we report it with the review of literature