Incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer according to histologic subtypes in Korea, 1999 to 2012

Objective

To investigate trends in the incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), according to histologic subtypes, in Korean women between 1999 and 2012.

Methods

Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry recorded between 1999 and 2012 were evaluated. The incidences of EOC histologic subtypes were counted. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and annual percentage changes (APCs) in incidence rates were calculated. Patient data were divided into three groups based on age (<40, 40 to 59, and >59 years), and age-specific incidence rates were compared.

Results

Overall, the incidence of EOC has increased. Annual EOC cases increased from 922 in 1999 to 1,775 in 2012. In 1999, the ASR was 3.52 per 100,000 and increased to 4.79 per 100,000 in 2012 (APC, 2.53%; p<0.001). The ASRs in 2012 and APCs between 1999 and 2012 for the four major histologic subtypes were as follows (in order of incidence): serous carcinoma (ASR, 2.32 per 100,000; APC, 4.34%; p<0.001), mucinous carcinoma (ASR, 0.73 per 100,000; APC, –1.05%; p=0.131), endometrioid carcinoma (ASR, 0.51 per 100,000; APC, 1.48%; p=0.032), and clear cell carcinoma (ASR, 0.50 per 100,000; APC, 8.13%; p<0.001). In the sub-analyses based on age, clear cell carcinoma was confirmed as the histologic subtype whose incidence had increased the most since 1999.

Conclusion

The incidence of EOC is increasing in Korea. Among the histologic subtypes, the incidence of clear cell carcinoma has increased markedly across all age groups since 1999.     

Comparing the Superficial Vasculature of the Central Nervous System in Six Laboratory Animals: A Hypothesis About the Role of the “Circle of Willis”

We provide images of the entire central nervous system vasculature, and compare the anatomical findings in six different laboratory animals. A detailed understanding of the specific anatomy for each is important in the design of experimental modeling and for understanding the specific function of each target organ . Six different types of animals, the Korean wild mouse, C57BL/6J mouse, F344 rat, mongolian gerbil, Syrian hamsters, and guinea pigs, were included. To stain the blood vessels in each of the animals, Alcian blue reagent was used to perfuse each species. The bifurcation and anastomotic patterns of the anterior cerebral arteries differed in each species. The vascular supply to the olfactory nerve was visualized as a single artery supplying both olfactory nerves, and arteries supplying the lateral portion of the olfactory nerves originating from the olfactory bulb area. The posterior communicating arteries of the six animals demonstrated unique morphologies. The shape of the hypophyseal portal system varied by species. Most animals used in this study had a hexagonal Circle of Willis, except for the Korean wild mouse. Using this approach, we successfully mapped the brain vascular system in six different species of animals. This information and the images created can guide other researchers as they design research studies and create experimental models for new surgical procedures and approaches. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 302:2049–2061, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy     

Clinical features of patients with Legionnaires disease showing initial clinical improvement but radiological deterioration: A retrospective single-center analysis

Patients with Legionnaires disease occasionally experience initial clinical improvement but radiological progression. However, data on this issue are so far limited. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in chest radiograph findings in patients with Legionnaires disease who showed initial clinical improvement and to identify risk factors and outcomes in these patients.All patients diagnosed with Legionnaires disease at a tertiary hospital in South Korea between March 2011 and May 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Legionnaires disease was defined as abnormal chest radiographs accompanied by a positive finding on at least one of the following tests: urinary antigen test, sputum Legionella polymerase chain reaction, and sputum Legionella culture. Clinical improvement was defined as defervescence and decreased C-reactive protein level. Clinical and radiological records were reviewed on treatment days 7 and 14 and at discharge. We describe the characteristics of patients with clinical improvement but radiological deterioration on treatment for Legionnaires disease and compared them with patients with initial clinical improvement and stable or resolving chest radiograph findings.Of 140 patients with Legionnaires disease, 33 (24%) showed initial clinical deterioration, while the remaining 107 (76%) showed initial clinical improvement on day 7. The latter 107 patients were analyzed in this study; 22 (21%) showed radiological progression despite the clinical improvement. Risk factors for these patients were a high pneumonia severity index score and the use of mechanical ventilation. Mortality did not significantly differ between those with initial clinical improvement but radiological deterioration and those with both initial clinical and radiological improvement (28% vs 12%, P = .49).About one-fifth of patients with Legionnaires disease, especially those who had a high pneumonia severity index score and underwent mechanical ventilation, showed radiological deterioration despite of clinical improvement 1 week after appropriate treatment, while outcomes were not significantly worse in these patients. Therefore, our findings support that close monitoring without modification of antibiotics use is warranted in those who have clinical improvement regardless of radiologic findings.     

Correlation of nasal obstruction with nasal cross-sectional area measured by computed tomography in patients with nasal septal deviation

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction and the corresponding cross-sectional area for nasal airflow in patients with a deviated septum. Methods: Seventy-one patients with a diagnosis of unilateral nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography. Anterior anatomic characteristics (the internal nasal valve angle and the cross-sectional areas at the external nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, and the head of the middle turbinate) and posterior anatomic factors (the cross-sectional areas at the openings of the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and end of the nasal septum) were examined. Associations between the computed tomography measurements and the subjective severity of nasal obstruction were analyzed with a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Anterior and posterior anatomic characteristics were associated with the subjective severity of nasal obstruction. Anterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with anterior septal deviation, and posterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with posterior septal deviation. Conclusions: This study indicated that the anterior and posterior parts of the nasal cavity are both related to nasal obstruction. In some patients, the posterior part of the nasal cavity was more important than other locations in causing nasal obstruction.     

Effects of Endosulfan on Survival and Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombina orientalis</Emphasis> (Boulenger) Embryos

The developmental toxicity of endosulfan was examined in the anuran Bombina orientalis embryos. Survival rates of embryos following 50 microM endosulfan treatment was significantly lower than vehicle control at 96 h onward. When the embryos develop to the tail fin circulation stage, embryonic survival was significantly decreased by 10 microM endosulfan treatment. Surviving embryos showed various developmental abnormalities including tail dysplasia at 50 microM. By hampering the embryonic development endosulfan may cause the decline in the natural populations of this frog species breeding on farmland and in the surrounding aquatic environment.     

Cyclic changes in the expression of p57(kip2) in human endometrium and its regulation by steroid hormones in endometrial stromal cells in vitro

We investigated the expressions of p57(kip2) and p27(kip) and its regulation by steroids in the normal and abnormal human endometrium. Endometrial p27(kip1) and p57(kip2) messenger RNA (mRNA) were markedly increased in the secretory phase. P57(kip2) protein was absent in proliferative phase but appeared in glandular epithelium together with early- to mid-secretory phase stromal cells. During the late secretory phase, strong P57(kip2) protein immunoreactivity was found in the stromal cells. In both endometrial hyperplasia and cancer, the expression of P57(kip2) protein was low. In cultured human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), p27(kip1) mRNA levels were increased together with the decidual marker prolactin (prl), following treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). At 1 nmol/L, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist dexamethasone (DEX) induced prl, p57(kip2) , and p27(kip1) mRNA in ESCs. Taken together, upregulation of p57(kip2) may play an important role in the decidual differentiation by P4 and growth inhibition of malignant cells in human endometrium.