• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4363-4365
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• 2016

Background: The complex anatomy of the pancreaticobiliary duct was crucial in management of pancreatic and biliary tract disease. Materials and Methods: Fresh specimens of pancreas, common bile duct (CBD), and duodenum were obtained en bloc from autopsies of 160 patients. Results: Ninety-three male and 67 female patients were included. The length of the pancreas ranged from 9.8-20 cm (mean, 16.20 +/- 1.70 cm). The intrapancreatic portion of the CBD showed patterns of three types: most common (85.30%) was type A, in which the anterior surface of the common bile duct was totally covered, while its posterior surface was partially covered, by the pancreatic parenchyma. On dissection of the accessory duct of Santorini, the accessory duct was traceable to the duodenal wall in 67.6%. The anatomy of the Wirsung-choledochus confluence was grouped into five different types. The common channel was found in 75.60% and its length varied from just a common junction (so-called "V-type" anatomy) to 15 mm (Y-type-b). Separate papillae (so-called "II-type") were found in 15.3% of specimens. Conclusions: Several important points regarding the anatomy of the pancreaticobiliary junction and pancreatic ductal system were illustrated in this study.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.364-371
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• 2007

The tumor suppressor gene Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is highly methylated in a wide range of human sporadic tumors. The current study investigated the hypermethylation of RASSF1A, the expression of RASSF1A protein, and the correlation between these and the clinicopathological features of gallbladder (GB) cancer in Korean patients. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors and non-neoplastic GB tissues (22 carcinomas, 8 adenomas, 26 normal epithelia) were collected from patients who had undergone surgical resection. The methylation status of two regions of the RASSF1A CpG island was determined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and the expression of RASSF1A protein was examined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. The K-RAS mutation was analyzed by direct sequencing. Methylation of the RASSF1A promoter (region 1) was detected in 22.7% (5/22) of carcinomas, 12.5% (1/8) of adenomas, and 0% (0/26) of normal gallbladder epithelia (P = 0.025). Methylation of the first exon (region 2) was found in 36.4% (8/22) of carcinomas, 25.0% (2/8) of adenomas, and 8.0% (2/26) of normal gallbladder epithelia (P = 0.038). K-RAS mutations were present in 4.5% (1/22) of carcinomas and 25% (2/8) of adenomas. RASSF1A methylaton was not associated with clinicopathological factors or K-ras mutation. Reduction or loss of RASSF1A expression was observed in most methylated adenocarcinomas. Three RASSF1A-expressing human biliary tract cancer cell lines examined contained unmethylated promoters and exons 1. These results suggest that downregulation of RASSF1A expression by DNA hypermethylation may be involved in GB carcinogenesis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.465-475
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the antineoplastic effect of ethanol extracts from Sanguisorbae Radix on cholangiocarcinoma cells that was established from biliary tract cancer tissue. Materials and Methods : Two cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, SNU-1079 and SNU-1196, were studied. The mRNA expression of Caspase 3, 8, 9, Bcl-2, Bax, P53, and P21 was examined by RT-PCR. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and apoptosis by cell death detection ELISA kit. Results : Proliferation of SNU-1079 and SNU-1196 was inhibited by Sanguisorbae Radix treatment in a dose-dependent manner. All cells treated with Sanguisorbae Radix showed increased dose- and time-dependent apoptosis. The expression of caspase 3, 8, 9, p53, and p21 was increased in all cells after the treatment of Sanguisorbae Radix. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in SNU-1196 and Bax expression was increased in all cells after the treatment of Sanguisorbae Radix. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sanguisorbae Radix would be beneficial in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.335-345
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• 2013

Objectives: As the suspicion was raised that 'Agent Orange' was reclaimed 30 years ago at Camp Carol, located in Waegwan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the government conducted an investigation of the influence of environmental and health effects around Camp Carol through a public-private joint investigation team. As part of the investigation of population health effects, this study was carried out in order to observe changes and regional differences in diseases, particularly cancer, by year. Methods: We authors conducted an analysis of secondary health data, such as cancer registration data, mortality data, and health insurance data. We drew an age standardized incidence ratio (SIR), death rate (SDR), mortality ratio (SMR), and health care utilization rate using these data. Results: For gastric cancer in women, and other cancers in men, a significant increase in incidence was observed compared to the control area. For biliary tract cancer, gallbladder cancer, and thyroid cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men, a significant decrease in incidence was observed compared to the control area. In the national statistical analysis of data, such as health insurance data and mortality data, we did not observe a significant increase at the Waegwan region compared to other regions. Conclusions: We must consider the limitations of this study. Because thirty years have passed from the time of the estimated landfill of 'Agent Orange', recent national statistical data may not reflect the past real situation. Therefore, the monitoring of secondary data for health effects at the municipal level should be carried out continuously.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2024

Purpose: CA 19-9 is the most widely used tumor marker for the diagnosis of digestive system tumor, especially pancreatic and biliary tract cancer. This study was conducted to improve the result value near reference range by comparing the reagents of CA 19-9 one step method and two step method. In addition, it was intended to establish a standard for selecting reagents. Material and Methods: 120 patients who visited the National Cancer Center in 2023 were selected as subjects for this study. The reagents used in the study were CA 19-9 IRMA kits (Shinjin, Korea) and three types of reagents were compared. Two step method reagent that is currently being used (A), one step method reagent (B) and two step method reagent improved by request (C) were compared and regression analysis was performed on their data. And we also performed recovery test, linearity test and hook effect test for each reagent. Result: There were 46 cases of reagent B in which the concentration value was lower than the result measured in reagent A that was previously used, and 77 cases of reagent C. As a result of regression analysis of reagents A, B, and C, the coefficients of determination of reagents A and B, reagents A and C, and reagents B and C were 0.653, 0.577, and 0.875. In the recovery rate test and the linearity test, the results of all reagents were good, and in the hook effect test, reagent B showed a hook effect at a low value. Conclusion: The improved reagent C appears to have been improved based on the concentration value of reagent B, which the manufacturer judged to be more stable at low concentrations. The hook effect in reagent B can be a fatal reason for disqualification when selecting reagents in general patient samples which high-concentration samples appear frequently. The first improved reagent C will be able to be used once it is confirmed that it has more stability for various concentration values.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1869-1874
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• 2016

Background: Errors in surgical pathology diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient. Since the final product of a surgical pathology lab is the report, errors can be picked by reviewing reports of cases. Aim: To determine the frequency and types of error in surgical pathology reports of cases signed out in 2014 in a laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: All surgical pathology reports in which changes were made in the original report after sign out and an amended report was issued were included. Errors included: (1) misinterpretations; (2) missing critical information; (3) erroneous critical information; (4) misidentification; and (5) typographic errors. Results: Errors were identified in 210 cases (0.37%). These comprised 199 formalin fixed specimens and 11 frozen sections. The latter represented 3.8% of a total of 2,170 frozen sections. Of the 11 frozen section errors, 10 were misinterpretations. Of the 199 permanent specimens, 99 (49.7%) were misinterpretations, 65 (32.7%) belonged to missing critical information category, 8 (4%) belonged to erroneous critical information category, 8(4%) were misidentifications, 16(8%) were typographic errors while 3 cases (1.5%) were other errors. Most misinterpretations occurred in the gastro intestinal, liver and pancreato biliary tract (23.2%) and breast (13.1%). Another 87 cases were reviewed on the clinicians' request. However diagnosis after review remained the same as the original diagnosis. In 49 out of these (56.3%), additional workup was performed at the time of the review. Conclusions: Our findings were similar to other published studies. We need to develop documented procedures for timely review of cases to detect errors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2185-2190
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• 2013

Gallbladder carcinoma, the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract system, has always been considered to feature late clinical presentation and diagnosis, limited treatment options and an extremely poor prognosis. In recent years, while the incidence of gallbladder cancer has appeared to be on the increase, the available treatment methods have not greatly improved survival of the affected patients. Thus, exploring new therapeutic targets for this devastating disease is an urgent matter at present. Epidemical studies have demonstrated that the incidence of gallbladder carcinoma exhibits a distinct gender bias, affecting females two to three times more than males, pointing to crucial roles of estrogen. It is well known that estrogen acts on target tissues by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs), which are mainly divided into three subtypes, $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$ and $ER{\gamma}$. $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ appear to have overlapping but also unique even opposite biological effects. As important pathogenic mediators, ERs have been considered to relate to several kinds of tumors. In gallbladder carcinoma tissue, ERs have been shown to be positively expressed, and ERs expression levels are associated with differentiation and prognosis of this cancer. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of estrogen inducing growth of gallbladder carcinoma remain poorly understood. On the base of the current investigations, we deduce that estrogen participates in promotion of gallbladder carcinoma by influencing the formation of gallstones, stimulating angiogenesis, and promoting abnormal proliferation. Since ERs mediate the carcinogenic actions of estrogen in gallbladder, and therapy targeting ERs may provide new directions for gallbladder carcinoma. Therefore, it should be stressed that ERs are potential therapeutic targets for gallbladder carcinoma.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between surveillance and adjuvant therapy (AT) groups after R0 resection for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Methods: A total of 154 patients who underwent R0 resection for CCA at the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2019 were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up duration was 899 days. There were 109 patients in the AT group and 45 patients in the surveillance group. The patients in the AT group were younger (67 years vs. 74 years, p<0.001) and included more males (64.2% vs. 46.7%, p=0.044). The proportion of patients with stage III CCA was larger in the AT group than in the surveillance group (13.8% vs. 2.2%, p=0.005). In addition, AT did not improve OS (5-year OS rate, 69.3% in the AT group vs. 64.2% in the surveillance group, p=0.806) or PFS (5-year PFS rate, 42.6% in the AT group vs. 48.9% in the surveillance group, p=0.113). In multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, stage III CCA (hazard ratio [HR], 10.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.92-40.00; p<0.001) was a significant predictor of OS. American Society of Anesthesiologists classification II (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.81; p=0.005), and American Joint Committee on Cancer stages II (HR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.25-7.89; p=0.015) and III (HR, 8.08; 95% CI, 2.80-23.32; p<0.001) were independent predictors of PFS. Conclusion: AT after R0 resection for CCA did not improve OS or PFS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2205-2209
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• 2016

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious problem in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern region. Active surveillance in rural communities with an appropriat low-cost screening tool is required to facilitate early detection. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the population at risk of CCA in Bua Yai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Northeastern Thailand using the Korat-CCA verbal screening test (KCVST) during June to October 2015. Reliability of KCVST demonstrated a Cronbach alpha coefficient=0.75 Stepwise-multiple regression showed that alcohol consumption was important for CCA screened, followed by agriculture and pesticide use, under-cooked cyprinoid fish consumption, praziquantel use, naïve northeastern people, opisthorchiasis, family relatives with CCA, and cholangitis or cholecystitis or gallstones, respectively. Population at risk for CCA was classified to low risk (63.4%), moderate risk (33.7%), and high risk (1.32%) for CCA. When CCA was screened using ultrasonography, 4 of 32 high risk participants had an abnormal biliary tract with dilated bile ducts. This study indicates that KCVST is a potential useful too which decrease the cost of large scale CCA screening.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2009

Background/aim : Gallbladder stone is the most common disease of biliary tract. It is lead to acute abdominal pain. The cholecystitis which is caused by in gallbladder stone occurs frequently and the possibility of the gallbladder cancer comes to be high. Our study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors gallbladder stone in a population who community. Materials and Methods : We enrolled a total of 826 (male : 297, female : 529) persons who 60 or older in Jeju-do 10 places from 2008 July one months. The height, weight, liver function tests, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, were all measurement. They had their gallbladder examined with using ultrasonography. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than 0.05. Results : Among 826 persons, gallbladder stone was found in 49 persons (5.9%). The male is 6.1% and the female is 5.8%, the male 1.03 times appeared more highly the female. The body mass index above of 23.0 kg/$m^2$ with the gallbladder stone was 69.3% (p<0.047). Conclusion : The gallbladder stone appeared highly according to age increases. The obesity is the risk factor of gallbladder stone. The weight management and diet control is a possibility of reducing a gallbladder stone creation.