• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.5-16
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• 2008

Objective: We took intravascular threadlike structures from rat aortas to investigate their histological characteristics consistent with the intravascular Bonghan duct. Methods: Gomori s silver impregnation method, in addition to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, was applied to demonstrate the characteristic feature of the intravascular threadlike structures. Results: These two staining methods clearly showed that the intravascular threadlike structures had unique features of argyrophilic reticular fibers and heavily stained oval or rod-shaped nuclei in them. Conclusion: The results are strong evidences for identifying threadlike structure as the intravascular Bonghan duct.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2016

Background In East Asia, the foot is the most common site of cutaneous melanoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between cutaneous melanoma of the foot and melanomas of other sites. Methods We studied 52 patients who underwent surgical treatment for cutaneous melanoma of the foot from September 2000 to January 2015. Through a retrospective review of their medical records, we collected data relating to their sex, age, histopathological subtype, Clark level, tumor thickness, lymph node involvement, stage, and survival rate, and we compared these parameters to those of 61 patients treated for melanoma of other sites. Moreover, we analyzed the surgical procedures, complications, and mortality rates associated with cutaneous melanoma on various parts of the foot. Results Melanoma of the foot differed from other melanomas only in the histopathological subtype. Other clinical features, including survival rate, did not differ significantly between the two groups heel was the most common site of melanoma of the foot (22 cases, 42.3%). The method of reconstruction varied depending on the region involved. Conclusions A comparison of melanoma of the foot to other melanomas showed that melanoma of the foot was associated with a significantly different distribution of histological subtypes. Consistent with previous findings, we found that the acral lentiginous subtype was the most common among melanomas of the foot. Furthermore, in contrast with previous studies, we did not find a worse prognosis or lower survival rate for melanoma of the foot in comparison with other melanomas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2681-2685
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• 2012

Objectives: This study focused on PTEN and Livin expression and associations with malignancy in human renal clear cell carcinomas (RCCC). Methods: PTEN and Livin expression was assessed in 100 RCCC tissue samples, 50 paracarcinoma cases, and 20 normal renal tissue samples using the immunohistochemical Streptavidin proxidase (SP) method. The relationships between binding and corresponding biological characteristics, such as histological grade, lymph node metastases, and clinical stages were analyzed. Results: Positive PTEN expression in RCCC was significantly lower than in renal tissue adjacent to carcinoma tissue and normal renal tissue (P<0.01). Livin expression in the renal tissue adjacent to the carcinoma and normal renal tissues exhibited only low levels, whereas overall Livin expression in RCCC was statistically significant (P<0.01). In RCCC, PTEN expression rate gradually decreased with an increase in clinical stage, whereas that of Livin increased to statistically significant levels (P<0.01), PTEN and Livin levels being negatively correlated (r=-0.395, P<0.01). Conclusions: PTEN and Livin are important in RCCC development. The two factors combined are expected to provide indices for estimating RCCC malignancy and progression levels, as well as references for RCCC diagnosis and treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1211-1217
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• 2014

Background: Cancer in infants younger than one year of age represents a unique problem with distinct epidemiological, clinical and genetic characteristics compared with older age groups. No report is yet available from Iran regarding epidemiological and survival rate of cancers diagnosed in this age group. Materials and Methods: The population under study comprised of patients which were diagnosed and admitted to Ali-Asghar hospital between years 1996-2005. In total, 287 infants were included in the retrospective descriptive survey. Patient files were evaluated for age of patient at the time of diagnosis, sex, geographical residence, consanguinity of parents, histological diagnosis, site of cancer involvement, type of therapy, date of last follow-up and cause of death (if applicable). Results: The average age at the time of diagnosis was 7.2 months old. The most frequent malignancy was retinoblastoma (44%), followed by leukemia (19%) and neuroblastoma (10%), with five-year overall survival rates of 77.7%, 41% and 90%, respectively Parents of 40 infants (13.9%) had consanguinity relationships. Conclusions: Although we cannot make any conclusions regarding the incidence of infant cancer subtypes based on this study, survival rates for major types were similar to the developed countries, which signifies strict adherence to standards of care in Ali-Asghar hospital, the main infant cancer care centre in Iran. A Childhood Cancer Registry with high-resolution data collection and also advanced genetic testing is advocated for in-depth analysis of variation in incidence and survival.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.276-280
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to review the characteristics of falcine meningioma retrospectively and to identify the parameters associated with tumor recurrence. Methods : The analysis included; age, sex, extent of resection, and radiologic and pathologic findings. Falcine meningiomas were classified by location as anterior, middle, or posterior as described for parasagittal meningiomas. Results : Of the 795 meningioma patients treated between 1990 and 2004 at the authors' institution, 68 patients with meningiomas arising from the falx underwent craniotomies. There were 22 male and 46 female patients (1:2.1). Mean age was 55 years and ranged from 14 to 77 years. Locations of falcine meningioma were; the anterior third in 33 cases, middle in 20, and posterior in 15. Mean tumor volume was 42 cc and ranged from 4 to 140 cc. In 58 of the 68 patients tumors were totally removed. Additional surgery for recurrence was performed in 6 patients over 15 years. Of these 6 patients, only two patients underwent gross total tumor resection at first operation; the other four underwent subtotal tumor resection. Based on pathologic reports, the largest tumor subtype was transitional. There were four patients with a high grade tumor-three atypical and one anaplastic meningioma. Of the 68 patients, 59 achieved a good outcome (no neurological deficit or recurrence), six had temporary complications, two suffered new permanent postoperative deficits, and the remaining one died due to severe brain swelling despite postoperative intensive care. Extent of surgical resection was found to be significantly related to tumor recurrence. Conclusion : Falcine meningioma accounted for 8.5% of intracranial meningiomas and the transitional meningioma was the most common subtype of falcine meningioma. Gross total resection of tumor was the single most important predictor of an improved surgical outcome.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.835-842
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• 2013

Flathead flounder Hippoglossoides dubius is a commercially important fish in the coastal waters of Gangwon Province, which is its spawning ground and breeding habitat. A total of 1,669 gonads were sampled monthly from February 2011 to May 2013 to investigate ecological characteristics, such as variations in maturation and spawning by gonad index, visual maturity stage, histological observations and oocyte diameter. Males were numerically dominant over females in the fishing grounds year round. The spawning season was from January to April, and the peak was from February to March. Oocyte number as a measure of fecundity was between 27,372 and 915,209 eggs with a length range of 26.0-48.7 cm TL, while the largest oocyte grew to 0.9-1.4mm in egg diameter during its spawning season. The relationship between fecundity and total length was $F=0.0016TL^{5.2539}$. The smallest mature lengths of the females and males were 28.4 and 22.6 cm respectively, and the 50% mature lengths of females and males were 32.9, 26.9 cm respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.491-496
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• 2009

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a common phenomenon during the prolonged muscle disuse caused by cast immobilization, extended aging states, bed rest, space flight, or other factors. However, the cellular mechanisms of the atrophic process are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the expression of muscle-specific RING finger 1 (MuRF1) during atrophy of the rat gastrocnemius muscle. Histological analysis revealed that cast immobilization induced the atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle, with diminution of muscle weight and cross-sectional area after 14 days. Cast immobilization significantly elevated the expression of MuRF1 and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. The starvation of L6 rat skeletal myoblasts under serum-free conditions induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and the characteristics typical of cast-immobilized gastrocnemius muscle. The expression of MuRF1 was also elevated in serum-starved L6 myoblasts, but was significantly attenuated by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK. Changes in the sizes of L6 myoblasts in response to starvation were also reversed by their transfection with MuRF1 small interfering RNA or treatment with SB203580. From these results, we suggest that the expression of MuRF1 in cast-immobilized atrophy is regulated by p38 MAPK in rat gastrocnemius muscles.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2011

Objective : Intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) therapy combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is one of the major treatment modalities for leukemia and lymphoma involving the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine the incidences of leukoencephalopathy and disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) following intrathecal MTX therapy for CNS lymphoma or leukemia and to assess the potential risk factors. Methods : Between January 2000 and August 2009, 143 patients with CNS lymphoma or leukemia received intrathecal MTX therapy alone or in combination with WBRT at a single institution. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically at regular two- or three-month intervals. Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding the patients' demographics, medical histories, radiologic characteristics, treatments, and clinical courses. Results : On follow-up MR images, leukoencephalopathy was found in 95 of 143 patients (66.4%). The median time to develop leukoencephalopathy was 6.6 months. Among those with leukoencephalopathy, four patients showed seven extensive white-matter changes with strongly enhancing lesions demonstrating DNL. Histological confirmation was done in six lesions of three patients and radiological diagnosis alone in one patient. Four lesions spontaneously disappeared on MR images without any treatment, with a mean duration of 14 months before disappearance of DNL. Conclusion : Leukoencephalopathy is a common phenomenon that occurs following intrathecal MTX therapy; however, DNL occurs at a very low incidence. For newly developed enhancing lesions, consideration for the occurrence of DNL should be taken to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures or therapies.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.304-309
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• 2009

Purpose: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a fibro-osseous disease associated with activating missense mutations of the gene encoding the $\alpha$-subunit of stimulatory G protein. FD may affect a single bone (called monostotic form) or multiple bones (called polyostotic form). The extent of lesions reflects the onset time of mutation. In this study, cells from monostotic FD in maxilla of a patient were isolated and cultured in vitro for characterization. Materials and Methods: The single cells were released from FD lesion which was surgical specimen from 15 years-old boy. These isolated cells were cultured in vitro and tested their proliferation activity with MTT assay. In osteogenic media, these cells underwent differentiation process comparing with its normal counterpart i.e. bone marrow stromal cells. The proliferated FD cells were detached and transplanted into the dordsal pocket of nude mouse and harvested in 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Results and Summary: FD cells have an increased proliferation rate and poor differentiation. As a result, cells isolated from FD lesion decreased differentiation into osteoblast and increased proliferation capacity. MTT assay presented that proliferation rate of FD cells were higher than control. However, the mineral induction capacity of FD was lesser than that of control. Monostotic FD cells make fewer amounts of bone ossicles and most of them are woven bone rather than lamellar bone in vivo transplantation. In transplanted FD cells, hematopoietic marrow were not seen in the marrow space and filled with the organized fibrous tissue. Therefore, they were recapitulated to the original histological features of FD lesion. Collectively, these results indicated that the FD cells were shown that the increased proliferation and decreased differentiation potential. These in vitro and in vivo system can be useful to test FD cell's fate and possible.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2757-2761
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• 2015

Background: Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death through the world. It is predicted that the number of new cancer cases will be more than 15 million cases by 2020. Regarding the lack of studies on this topic in the country, we have thoroughly examined the patho-epidemiology of stomach cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross- sectional study data were collected retrospectively reviewing all new stomach cancer patients in Cancer Registry Center report of health deputy for Iran during a 6-year period (2003-2008). The study also examined the morphology of common stomach cancers. Trends in incidence and morphology underwent joinpoint regression analysis. Results: During the six-year period, a total of 35,171 cases of stomach cancer were registered. Average age standardized rate for females and males were equal to 7.1 and 15.1 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Most common histological type was adenocarcinoma, NOS with 21,980 cases (62.50%). The annual percentage change (APC) in age-standardized incidence rate (per 100,000) was increase in both females and males at 11.1 (CI: 4.3 to 18.3) and 9.2 (CI: 5.2 to 13.4), respectively. Conclusions: According to our results, the incidence of gastric cancer is increasing in Iran, so further epidemiological studies into the etiology and early detection are essential.