Erratum: Nation-Wide Korean Breast Cancer Data from 2008 Using the Breast Cancer Registration Program

nation-wide breast cancer data and analyzed the data using their online registration program biannually. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of Korean breast cancer from 2008 and examine chronological based patterns. Methods: Data were collected from 38 medical schools (67 hospitals), 20 general hospitals, and 10 private clinics. The data on the total number, gender, and age distribution were collected through a questionnaire as well as other detailed data analyzed via the online registration program. Results: In 2008, there were 13,908 patients who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The crude incidence rate of female breast cancer was 57.3 among 100,000 and the median age was 49 years. The age distribution had not changed since the initial survey; however the proportion of postmenopausal patients had increased and median age was older than the past. In staging distribution, the proportion of early breast cancer (stage 0, I) was 47.2 % with, breast-conserving surgery performed in 58 % and mastectomy in 39.5%. Conclusion: Compared to past data, the incidence of breast cancer in Korea continues to rise. Furthermore, the proportion of those detected by screening and breast conservation surgery has increased remarkably. To understand the patterns of Korean breast cancer, the nation-wide data should continuously investigated

Analgesic effect of highly reversible ω-conotoxin FVIA on N type Ca2+ channels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>N-type Ca²⁺channels (Ca_v2.2) play an important role in the transmission of pain signals to the central nervous system. ω-Conotoxin (CTx)-MVIIA, also called ziconotide (Prialt^®), effectively alleviates pain, without causing addiction, by blocking the pores of these channels. Unfortunately, CTx-MVIIA has a narrow therapeutic window and produces serious side effects due to the poor reversibility of its binding to the channel. It would thus be desirable to identify new analgesic blockers with binding characteristics that lead to fewer adverse side effects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we identify a new CTx, FVIA, from the Korean <it>Conus Fulmen </it>and describe its effects on pain responses and blood pressure. The inhibitory effect of CTx-FVIA on N-type Ca²⁺channel currents was dose-dependent and similar to that of CTx-MVIIA. However, the two conopeptides exhibited markedly different degrees of reversibility after block. CTx-FVIA effectively and dose-dependently reduced nociceptive behavior in the formalin test and in neuropathic pain models, and reduced mechanical and thermal allodynia in the tail nerve injury rat model. CTx-FVIA (10 ng) also showed significant analgesic effects on writhing in mouse neurotransmitter- and cytokine-induced pain models, though it had no effect on acute thermal pain and interferon-γ induced pain. Interestingly, although both CTx-FVIA and CTx-MVIIA depressed arterial blood pressure immediately after administration, pressure recovered faster and to a greater degree after CTx-FVIA administration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The analgesic potency of CTx-FVIA and its greater reversibility could represent advantages over CTx-MVIIA for the treatment of refractory pain and contribute to the design of an analgesic with high potency and low side effects.</p

Optimization of the Contrast Mixture Ratio for Simultaneous Direct MR and CT Arthrography: an in Vitro Study

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the optimal mixture ratio of gadolinium and iodinated contrast agent for simultaneous direct MR arthrography and CT arthrography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro study was performed utilizing mixtures of gadolinium at six different concentrations (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10 and 20 mmol/L) and iodinated contrast agent at seven different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 75 and 92-99.9%). These mixtures were placed in tissue culture plates, and were then imaged with CT and MR (with T1-weighted sequences, proton-density sequences and T2-weighted sequences). CT numbers and signal intensities were measured. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess the correlations between the gadolinium/iodinated contrast agent mixtures and the CT numbers/MR signal intensities. Scatter diagrams were plotted for all gadolinium/iodinated contrast agent combinations and two radiologists in consensus identified the mixtures that yielded the optimal CT numbers and MR signal intensities. RESULTS: The CT numbers showed significant correlation with iodinated contrast concentrations (r = 0.976, p < 0.001), whereas the signal intensities as measured on MR images showed a significant correlation with both gadolinium and iodinated contrast agent concentrations (r = -484 to -0.719, p < 0.001). A review of the CT and MR images, graphs, and scatter diagram of 42 combinations of the contrast agent showed that a concentration of 1.25 mmol/L gadolinium and 25% iodinated contrast agent was the best combination for simultaneous CT and MR imaging. CONCLUSION: A mixture of 1.25 mmol/L gadolinium and 25% iodinated contrast agent was found to be optimal for simultaneous direct MR arthrography and CT arthrography

Magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses of bone scan abnormalities in breast cancer patients

Objective To investigate the type of MR imaging diagnosis that corresponded to spinal lesions detected on a bone scan according to the number of lesions in breast cancer patients. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed spinal MR images of 134 patients with breast cancer whose bone scans showed one or more spinal hot uptakes. The patients were grouped according to the number of spinal lesions detected on the bone scan: one or two lesions versus multiple (more than two) lesions. By using MR imaging, we determined the etiology of the spinal lesions in terms of being either benign or malignant. If the lesions were benign, we further categorized them into several specific pathologies. Results Sixty-four (48%) of 134 patients had one or two spinal lesions as seen on a bone scan. On MR imaging, 45 (70%) of the 64 lesions had benign pathologies, whereas 19 lesions (30%) were malignant. The benign pathologies in the 45 patients included facet arthrosis in 20 patients (44%), discovertebral degeneration in 12 patients (27%), compression fractures in eight patients (18%), and Schmorl`s nodes in five patients (11%). Seventy (52%) of 134 patients had multiple spinal lesions as seen on the bone scan, and MR imaging revealed multiple bone metastases in 67 patients (96%) and facet arthrosis in three patients (4%). Conclusion One or two spinal lesions seen on a bone scan in breast cancer patients are more likely to be benign pathologies such as facet arthrosis, discovertebral degeneration, compression fracture or Schmorl`s node on MR imaging. Nucl Med Commun 30:736-741 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Kim CK, 2008, CLIN NUCL MED, V33, P251Wu HTH, 2006, SKELETAL RADIOL, V35, P212, DOI 10.1007/s00256-005-0068-yKim DW, 2005, CLIN NUCL MED, V30, P593NAKANISHI K, 2005, MAGN RESON MED SCI, V4, P11Mentzel HJ, 2004, EUR RADIOL, V14, P2297, DOI 10.1007/s00330-004-2390-5Shackleton M, 2004, INTERN MED J, V34, P615Maffioli L, 2004, EUR J NUCL MED MOL I, V31, pS143Yamaguchi T, 2003, SPINE, V28, pE503Chen HHW, 2003, NUCL MED COMMUN, V24, P1167, DOI 10.1097/01.mnm.0000101607.64255.4aNiitsu M, 2003, J COMPUT ASSIST TOMO, V27, P469RESNICK D, 2002, DIAGNOSIS BONE JOINT, P1430Baudrez V, 2001, SKELETAL RADIOL, V30, P442Daldrup-Link HE, 2001, AM J ROENTGENOL, V177, P229Reinartz P, 2000, EUR J NUCL MED, V27, P721Weishaupt D, 1999, SKELETAL RADIOL, V28, P215Seymour R, 1998, CLIN RADIOL, V53, P363Stabler A, 1997, AM J ROENTGENOL, V168, P933Carroll KW, 1997, JMRI-J MAGN RESON IM, V7, P394Cuenod CA, 1996, RADIOLOGY, V199, P541TAKAHASHI K, 1994, J SPINAL DISORD, V7, P77JACOBSON AF, 1990, J NUCL MED, V31, P387MCLAIN R, 1990, SPINE, V15, P247BOXER DI, 1989, J NUCL MED, V30, P1318KAGEN S, 1988, CLIN NUCL MED, V13, P615MODIC MT, 1988, RADIOLOGY, V168, P177MODIC MT, 1988, RADIOLOGY, V166, P193RESNICK D, 1978, RADIOLOGY, V126, P57HOPKINS GB, 1973, CALIF MED, V119, P10

MR Imaging Assessment of the Spine: Infection or an Imitation?

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool that can be used to help evaluate spinal infection and to help distinguish between an infection and other clinical conditions. In most cases of spinal infection, MR images show typical findings such as vertebral endplate destruction, bone marrow and disk signal abnormalities, and paravertebral or epidural abscesses. However, it is not always easy to diagnose a spinal infection, particularly when some of the classic MR imaging features are absent or when there are unusual patterns of infectious spondylitis. Furthermore, noninfectious inflammatory diseases and degenerative disease may simulate spinal infection. It is necessary to be familiar with atypical MR imaging findings of spinal infection and features that may mimic spinal infection to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.Son JM, 2007, KOREAN J RADIOL, V8, P448Laredo JD, 2007, RADIOLOGY, V242, P825, DOI 10.1148/radiol.2423051222TINS BJ, 2007, TOP MAGN RESON IMAG, V18, P213Butler JS, 2006, SPINE, V31, P2695Wu HTH, 2006, SKELETAL RADIOL, V35, P212, DOI 10.1007/s00256-005-0068-yAn HS, 2006, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P27, DOI 10.1097/01.blo.0000203452.36522.97Hermann KGA, 2005, RADIOGRAPHICS, V25, P559Tins BJ, 2004, SEMIN MUSCULOSKEL R, V8, P215Jung NY, 2004, AM J ROENTGENOL, V182, P1405Tali ET, 2004, EUR J RADIOL, V50, P120, DOI 10.1016/j.ejrad.2003.10.022Bennett DL, 2004, RADIOL CLIN N AM, V42, P121, DOI 10.1016/S0033-8389(03)00156-8Ledermann HP, 2003, RADIOLOGY, V228, P506, DOI 10.1148/radiol.2282020752EARLY SD, 2003, J AM ACAD ORTHOP SUR, V11, P413Moorthy S, 2002, AM J ROENTGENOL, V179RESNIK D, 2002, DIAGNOSIS BONE JOINT, P2481Ozaksoy D, 2001, EUR SPINE J, V10, P529, DOI 10.1007/s005860100285Moore SL, 2001, RADIOL CLIN N AM, V39, P329Varma R, 2001, RADIOL CLIN N AM, V39, P203Gouliamos AD, 2001, EUR RADIOL, V11, P575Jones EA, 2000, RADIOGRAPHICS, V20, pS279Wagner SC, 2000, RADIOLOGY, V214, P693Wagner AL, 2000, AM J NEURORADIOL, V21, P276Williams RL, 1999, AM J NEURORADIOL, V20, P381Nachtigal A, 1999, SKELETAL RADIOL, V28, P163Tyrrell PNM, 1999, EUR RADIOL, V9, P1066DAGIRMANJIAN A, 1999, MAGN RESON IMAGING C, V7, P525Boutin RD, 1998, AM J ROENTGENOL, V170, P585Maiuri F, 1997, SPINE, V22, P1741Stabler A, 1997, AM J ROENTGENOL, V168, P933Toussirot E, 1997, ANN RHEUM DIS, V56, P52Dagirmanjian A, 1996, AM J ROENTGENOL, V167, P1539Gillams AR, 1996, AM J ROENTGENOL, V166, P903LANG EW, 1996, EUR SPINE J, V5, P207VANTASSEL P, 1994, TOP MAGN RESON IMAG, V6, P69CORTET B, 1994, J RHEUMATOL, V21, P1287PARK YH, 1994, SPINE, V19, P1499TEKKOK IH, 1993, NEUROSURGERY, V33, P838SMITH AS, 1991, RADIOL CLIN N AM, V29, P809SHARIF HS, 1989, RADIOLOGY, V171, P419KANG HS, 1988, J KOREAN RADIOL SOC, V24, P421GOTUZZO E, 1987, ANN RHEUM DIS, V46, P506MODIC MT, 1985, RADIOLOGY, V157, P1571

Formaldehyde-Induced Aggravation of Pruritus and Dermatitis Is Associated with the Elevated Expression of Th1 Cytokines in a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a complex disease of heterogeneous pathogenesis, in particular, genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and their interactions. Indoor air pollution, increasing with urbanization, plays a role as environmental risk factor in the development of AD. However, we still lack a detailed picture of the role of air pollution in the development of the disease. Here, we examined the effect of formaldehyde (FA) exposure on the manifestation of atopic dermatitis and the underlying molecular mechanism in naive rats and in a rat model of atopic dermatitis (AD) produced by neonatal capsaicin treatment. The AD and naive rats were exposed to 0.8 ppm FA, 1.2 ppm FA, or fresh air (Air) for 6 weeks (2 hours/day and 5 days/week). So, six groups, namely the 1.2 FA-AD, 0.8 FA-AD, Air-AD, 1.2 FA-naive, 0.8 FA-naive and Air-naive groups, were established. Pruritus and dermatitis, two major symptoms of atopic dermatitis, were evaluated every week for 6 weeks. After that, samples of the blood, the skin and the thymus were collected from the 1.2 FA-AD, the Air-AD, the 1.2 FA-naive and the Air-naive groups. Serum IgE levels were quantified with ELISA, and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines from extracts of the skin and the thymus were calculated with qRT-PCR. The dermatitis and pruritus significantly worsened in 1.2 FA-AD group, but not in 0.8 FA-AD, compared to the Air-AD animals, whereas FA didn't induce any symptoms in naive rats. Consistently, the levels of serum IgE were significantly higher in 1.2 FA-AD than in air-AD, however, there was no significant difference following FA exposure in naive animals. In the skin, mRNA expression levels of Th1 cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher in the 1.2 FA-AD rats compared to the air-AD rats, whereas mRNA expression levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), IL-17A and TSLP were significantly higher in 1.2 FA-naive group than in the Air-naive group. These results suggested that 1.2 ppm of FA penetrated the injured skin barrier, and exacerbated Th1 responses and serum IgE level in the AD rats so that dermatitis and pruritus were aggravated, while the elevated expression of Th2 cytokines by 1.2 ppm of FA in naive rats was probably insufficient for clinical manifestation. In conclusion, in a rat model of atopic dermatitis, exposure to 1.2 ppm of FA aggravated pruritus and skin inflammation, which was associated with the elevated expression of Th1 cytokines

Liver abscess and sepsis with Bacillus pantothenticus in an immunocompetent patient: A first case report

Bacillus species are aerobic, gram-positive, spore forming rods that are usually found in the soil, dust, streams, and other environmental sources. Except for Bacillus. anthracis (B. anthracis), most species display low virulence, and only rarely cause infections in hosts with weak or damaged immune systems. There are two case reports of B. cereus as a potentially serious bacterial pathogen causing a liver abscess in an immunologically competent patient. We herein report a case of liver abscess and sepsis caused by B. pantothenticus in an immunocompetent patient. Until now, no case of liver abscess due to B. pantothenticus has been reported

"MR corner sign": value for predicting presence of ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRI features of the "MR corner sign" and to determine its diagnostic usefulness in ankylosing spondylitis. We reviewed the spinal MR images of 52 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and compared these images with those of 52 age- and sex-matched control subjects. CONCLUSION: The MR corner sign was defined as a triangular and sharply marginated corner abnormality in a vertebral body unassociated with osteophytes or Schmorl's node. MR corner lesions were significantly more common in the ankylosing spondylitis group than in the control group (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the MR corner sign were 44%, 96%, 92%, and 63%, respectively. The most frequent feature of signal intensity was a Modic type II change (77%). In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the MR corner sign was fre quently seen at the thoracolumbar junction, whereas degenerative corner lesions were commonly seen in the lower lumbar spine. When the MR corner sign is detected on spinal MR images in daily practice, it should not be overlooked because it suggests the possibility of ankylosing spondylitis, which should then be further evaluated