Ho Choi

Low expression of Bax predicts poor prognosis in resected non-small cell lung cancer patients with non-squamous histology.

Objective The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bax and galectin-3 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with surgical resection. Methods We investigated the expression of these proteins and their association with clinicopathologic characteristics including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 205 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical resection (Stage I, 97; II, 46; IIIA, 45; IIIB, 17) using immunohistochemistry. Eighty-eight patients (43%) received adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy: 8, radiotherapy: 24, both: 56). Results High expressions of Bax, p53 and galectin-3 were observed in 48 (23%), 81 (40%) and 105 (51%) patients, respectively. Low expression of Bax was significantly associated with male gender, squamous cell histology and low expression of galectin-3. Five-year DFS and OS of total patients were 37 and 46%, respectively. High expressions of p53 and galectin-3 were not associated with poor DFS or OS, and no significant correlation existed between low expression of Bax and outcome of patients. However, in patients with non-squamous histology (108 patients), low expression of Bax was a significant independent predictor of poor DFS (P = 0.017) and OS (P = 0.037). In addition, in patients with Stage II or III disease, low expression of Bax significantly correlated with poor DFS (P = 0.004). It was also the most significant independent poor prognostic factor second only to a large primary tumor size in Stage II or III patients with non-squamous histology. Conclusions Low expression of Bax was significantly associated with poor prognosis in resected NSCLC patients with non-squamous histology.

Serum angiopoietin-1 as a prognostic marker in resected early stage lung cancer

PURPOSE We evaluated the clinical significance of angiopoietins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with resected early stage lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study enrolled 101 patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of stage I or II, along with 70 healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and VEGF were measured with an ELISA. Immunohistochemical expression of angiopoietin-1 was compared with the microvessel density on the lung cancer tissues. RESULTS The patients had lower serum angiopoietin-1 (32.1+/-9.9 ng/mL vs. 39.0+/-10.8 ng/mL, p<0.001), higher angiopoietin-2 (1949.2+/-1099.4 pg/mL vs. 1498.6+/-650.0 pg/mL, p<0.01), and higher VEGF (565.1+/-406.3 pg/mL vs. 404.6+/-254.8 pg/mL, p<0.01) levels than the controls. The angiopoietin-2 level was higher in stage II than in stage I patients (p<0.05). The levels of angiopoietin-1 (r=0.28) and angiopoietin-2 (r=0.36) each correlated with the VEGF level. Patients with a higher level of angiopoietin-1 (> or =31.2 ng/mL) had better disease-specific and relapse-free survival than those with a lower angiopoietin-1 level (<31.2 ng/mL). Angiopoietin-1 expression negatively correlated with the microvessel density. CONCLUSION Serum angiopoietin-1 is a potential marker for predicting postoperative survival and recurrence in patients with early stage NSCLC.

Primary pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimics pulmonary artery aneurysm with partial thrombosis: various radiologic evaluations

Primary pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is very rare, so only a few imaging features have been reported. We report one case of rapidly growing primary pulmonary MFH mimicking a partially thrombosed pulmonary artery aneurysm and its radiologic findings, including multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), conventional angiography, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography CT ([18F] FDG-PET/CT). On multi-phasic MDCT, this mass mimicked a pulmonary artery aneurysm with partial thrombosis. However, pulmonary artery aneurysm was excluded and suggested as a hypervascular parenchymal mass by subsequent conventional angiography. On [18F] FDG-PET/CT, it was a highly metabolic mass, showing a maximal standard uptake value (SUV) 12.1. Although primary pulmonary MFH is very rare and has no specific imaging findings, our experience might be helpful to differentiate a hypervascular pulmonary mass.

Association between anger and first-onset primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

OBJECTIVE Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a frequent and problematic disease, but its underlying causes and pathophysiology remain unclear. This study examined whether anger, which is related to many psychosomatic diseases, is a psychosocial factor associated with first-onset PSP. METHOD We administered the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Stress Response Inventory, Coping Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Global Assessment of Recent Stress to 91 patients with first-onset PSP and to 77 patients with recent minor trauma as controls. RESULTS The scores on anger-in, anger-out, state anger and trait anger were significantly higher in the PSP group than in the control group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low body mass index and trait anger could be associated with PSP. CONCLUSION We hypothesize that anger could play a role in the pathophysiology of PSP.

Brace Compression for Treatment of Pectus Carinatum

Background Surgery has been the classical treatment of pectus carinatum (PC), though compressive orthotic braces have shown successful results in recent years. We propose a non-operative approach using a lightweight, patient-controlled dynamic chest-bracing device. Materials and Methods Eighteen patients with PC were treated between July 2008 and June 2009. The treatment involved fitting of the brace, which was worn for at least 20 hours per day for 6 months. Their degree of satisfaction (1, no correction; 4, remarkable correction) was measured at 12 months after the initiation of the treatment. Results Thirteen (72.2%) patients completed the treatment (mean time, 4.9±1.4 months). In patients who completed the treatment, the mean overall satisfaction score was 3.73±0.39. The mean satisfaction score was 4, and there was no recurrence of pectus carinatum in patients who underwent the treatment for at least 6 months. Minimal recurrence of pectus carinatum after removal of the compressive brace occurred in 5 (38.5%) patients who stopped wearing the compressive brace at 4 months. Conclusion Compressive bracing results in a significant improvement in PC appearance in patients with an immature skeleton. However, patient compliance and diligent follow-up appear to be paramount for the success of this method of treatment. We currently offer this approach as a first-line treatment for PC.

Emphysema as a risk factor for the outcome of surgical resection of lung cancer.

It is unclear whether emphysema, regardless of airflow limitation, is a predictive factor associated with survival after lung cancer resection. Therefore, we investigated whether emphysema was a risk factor associated with the outcome after resection for lung cancer. This study enrolled 237 patients with non small cell lung cancer with stage I or II who had surgical removal. Patient outcome was analyzed based on emphysema. Emphysema was found in 43.4% of all patients. Patients with emphysema were predominantly men and smokers, and had a lower body mass index than the patients without emphysema. The patients without emphysema (n=133) survived longer (mean 51.2±3.0 vs. 40.6±3.1 months, P=0.042) than those with emphysema (n=104). The univariate analysis showed a younger age, higher FEV1/FVC, higher body mass index, cancer stage I, and a lower emphysema score were significant predictors of better survival. The multivariate analysis revealed a younger age, higher body mass index, and cancer stage I were independent parameters associated with better survival, however, emphysema was not. This study suggests that unfavorable outcomes after surgical resection of lung cancer should not be attributed to emphysema itself.

Successful Surgical Treatment of a Right Atrial Myxoma Complicated by Pulmonary Embolism

A 76-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted to the hospital with complaints of chest pain and dyspnea. An echocardiogram and pulmonary computed tomography angiography showed right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary thromboembolism. An operation to resect the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism was recommended; however, the patient refused and was discharged with anticoagulation therapy. Two years later, she developed dyspnea. Radiological studies and echocardiography showed similar results with the previous findings. The patient underwent mediastinotomy with resection of the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolectomy. As there are few reports on right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary embolism, we report a successful case of surgical removal of right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism.

Sewage sludge treatment by arc discharge

Sewage sludge is composed of organic materials, bacteria and mostly water. The bacteria contain digested organic materials. The object of the sewage sludge treatment is destroying the bacteria cell membrane. Using characteristics of arc discharge in water, we treated the sewage sludge. We used high voltage pulse power system to generate the arc discharge in the sewage sludge. For effective treatment, we also used a coaxial and a ring shape coaxial reactor. An examination method of the sewage sludge treatment is to compare SCOD (soluble chemical oxygen demand) before and after treatment.

Aberrent Thoracic Duct Cyst in Postrior Mediastinum

Thoracic duct cysts in the upper portion of the diaphragm are mostly found in the neck and are rarely found in the mediastinum. Thoracic duct cysts should be differentiated from other mediastinal tumors or cysts, and surgical treatment is required to avoid the development of chylothorax if the cyst ruptures. Herein, we report the case of a patient with a thoracic cyst located just above the diaphragm that was treated with surgical resection.

Neurilemmoma Showing a Unique Growth Pattern in the Lateral Chest Wall: Both Inside and Outside the Thoracic Cavity

We report the first case of the intercostal neurilemmoma showing a unique growth pattern in the lateral chest wall (both inside and outside the thoracic cavity). Usually, intrathoracic neurilemmoma is found in the posterior mediastinum and bulge from the inner surface of the bony thorax toward the thoracic cavity. This unique growing pattern of neurilemmoma arising from intercostal nerve was clearly demonstrated by computed tomography and ultrasonography.