Chemical Fungicides and Bacillus siamensis H30-3 against Fungal and Oomycete Pathogens Causing Soil-Borne Strawberry Diseases.

Chemical and biological agents were evaluated to inhibit Colletotrichum fructicola, Phytophthora cactorum, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing strawberry diseases. Mycelial growths of C. fructicola were gradually arrested by increasing concentrations of fungicides pyraclostrobin and iminoctadine tris (albesilate). P. cactorum and L. theobromae were more sensitive to pyraclostrobin compared to C. fructicola, but iminoctadine tris (albesilate) was not or less effective to limit P. cactorum or L. theobromae, respectively. Bacillus siamensis H30-3 was antagonistic against the three pathogens by diffusible as well as volatile molecules, and evidently reduced aerial mycelial formation of P. cactorum. B. siamensis H30-3 growth was declined by at least 0.025 mg/ml of pyraclostrobin. The two fungicides additively inhibited mycelial growths of C. fructicola, but not of P. cactorum and L. theobromae. B. siamensis H30-3 volatiles led to less growth of C. fructicola than one reduced by the fungicides. Taken together, in vitro antimicrobial activities of the two fungicides together with or without B. siamensis H30-3 volatiles may be cautiously incorporated into integrated management of strawberry diseases dependent on causal pathogens.

Complete response to radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal sarcomatoid carcinoma (SaCa) is extremely rare, and concurrent chemoradiation is the standard treatment for squamous cell-based nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). This case report gives the first explanation of a nasopharyngeal SaCa patient treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), which is an excellent treatment modality that leads to complete response for locally advanced NPC. A 70-year-old male presented with nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and right neck node enlargements. Examination revealed an extensive tumor of nasopharyngeal tumor extending into the nasal cavity and right parapharyngeal space with bilateral lymphadenopathy on positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography images of focal hypermetabolic bone lesion in C4 body (stage T3N2M1). An excisional biopsy of nasopharyngeal wall mass showed a SaCa. He received concurrent chemoradiation which was VMAT and systemic chemotherapy (cisplatin 60 mg). A dose of 70 Gy was delivered to the planning target volume (PTV70) (gross tumor volume plus margin 3-5 mm) and PTV59.4(a wider margin around high-risk clinical target volume, including the clivus and neck nodes) all given in 33 fractions. Radiological examination such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PET images at the completion of external beam therapy revealed questionable residual disease. Follow-up MRI scans 4 weeks after radiotherapy revealed a complete tumor response. VMAT with SIB can be an effective treatment option for SaCa of the advanced nasopharynx.

Electron beam radiotherapy for Kaposi's sarcoma of the toe and web.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an uncommon neoplastic vascular disease. The standard treatment for localized classic KS lesions is surgical excision or radiation. Superficial skin lesions are generally treated with electrons or low-energy photon fields using boluses. Radiotherapy (RT) can be used for poor surgical candidates or when surgery is expected to result in a poor cosmetic or functional outcome. This study is the first to describe a case of KS of the toe and web treated with electron RT, which precisely targeted the irregular skin lesion with a markedly higher presided effective treatment. An electron field is often limited in its effectiveness to deliver a homogeneous dose in cases with irregular contours. Here, we report our successful experience using low-energy electron beam radiation to treat KS of the toe and web. The patient was a 78-year-old woman who was diagnosed with KS located on the first and second toe and web, based on radiology, pathology, and immunohistochemical examinations. KS was located on the left foot and measured more than 2.5 cm. No regional nodal or distant organ metastasis was observed. She was medically inoperable. RT was performed using a 6-MeV electron with a 0.5-cm bolus and a dose of 50 Gy delivered in 25 fractions. Follow-up computed tomography 2 months after RT revealed a complete tumor response. Toxicity was limited to mild skin desquamation during treatment. The patient remains alive and has shown no evidence of disease for 2 years. This study suggests that electron RT is a safe and effective treatment option for skin lesions located on the toe and web.

Gland Attenuation, a Novel Morphological Feature of Colorectal Cancer: Evidence for an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

PURPOSE: Along the invasive margin, colorectal cancer may show distinctive morphologic changes characterized by an asymmetrically attenuating tumor gland with loss of polarity. The author coined the term 'gland attenuation (GA)' for these peculiar changes. The aims of this study were to compare the immunoreactivity of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin and ß-catenin and thus determine whether EMTs occurs at tumor budding (TB) or GA sites and to assess the association of TB and/or GA levels with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. METHODS: Expression patterns of E-cadherin and ß-catenin in the tumor centers at GA and TB sites were examined in 101 patients with well or moderately differentiated CRCs, and the prognostic significance of TB and/or GA was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: GA foci, as well as TB foci, revealed loss of membranous and cytoplasmic E-cadherin expressions and aberrant ß-catenin expression with reduced membranous expression and increased localization to the nucleus, suggesting that EMTs occur in GA as well as in TB. The high-TB and the TB-dominant groups were significantly correlated with advanced invasion depth, presence of lymph node metastasis, advanced pathologic staging and presence of lymphovascular invasion. The high-TB and the TB-dominant groups showed poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), and high TB was an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analyses for OS and RFS. CONCLUSION: This study showed evidence that EMTs occurs at GA sites as well as TB foci. TB is a strong and independent prognostic factor, and TB-dominance may be an indicator of adverse clinical outcome.

Evaluation of nuclear chromatin using grayscale intensity and thresholded percentage area in liquid-based cervical cytology.

OBJECTIVES: Development of computerized image analysis techniques has opened up the possibility for the quantitative analysis of nuclear chromatin in pathology. We hypothesized that the features extracted from digital images could be used to determine specific cytomorphological findings for nuclear chromatin that may be applicable for establishing a medical diagnosis. METHODS: Three parameters were evaluated from nuclear chromatin images obtained from the liquid-based cervical cytology samples of patients with biopsy-proven high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL), and compared between non-neoplastic squamous epithelia and dysplastic epithelia groups: (1) standard deviation (SD) of the grayscale intensity; (2) difference between the maximum and minimum grayscale intensity (M-M); and (3) thresholded area percentage. Each parameter was evaluated at the mean, mean-1SD, and mean-2SD thresholding intensity levels. RESULTS: Between the mean and mean-1SD levels, the thresholded nuclear chromatin pattern was most similar to the chromatin granularity of the unthresholded grayscale images. The SD of the gray intensity and the thresholded area percentage differed significantly between the non-neoplastic squamous epithelia and dysplastic epithelia of HGSIL images at all three thresholding intensity levels (mean, mean-1SD, and mean-2SD). However, the M-M significantly differed between the two sample types for only two of the thresholding intensity levels (mean-1SD and mean-2SD). CONCLUSIONS: The digital parameters SD and M-M of the grayscale intensity, along with the thresholded area percentage could be useful in automated cytological evaluations. Further studies are needed to identify more valuable parameters for clinical application.

Lymphoplasmacyte-Rich Meningioma With Atypical Angiomatous Feature and an Increased Deposition of IgG4-Positive Plasma Cells: An Unusual Case Report.

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (LPRM) is an extremely rare variant of meningioma, and a small percentage of LPRM may be associated with IgG4-related disease. To date, the coexistence of 2 rare meningioma variants consisting of LPRM and angiomatous meningioma within one neoplasm has not been reported in the literature. A 56-year-old woman presented with episodes of frequent and severe epistaxis that began 4 months ago. Initial magnetic resonance imaging showed localized, heterogeneous, and intermediate to high signal lesion at the odontoid process and clivus. In subsequent magnetic resonance images, the mass grew to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, and compression to the medulla, and a suspicious enhancement of both distal vertebral arteries became evident even though there was 3 times of partial resection over 17 years. The tumor showed regional and temporal heterogeneity, and atypical features such as mitoses and a high proliferative index were also identified in the area of angiomatous meningioma in addition to LPRM with an increased deposition of IgG4-positive plasma cells within the neoplasm.

Sarcomatoid Carcinoma Manifesting as Recurrent Rectal Cancer and Mimicking Radiation-Induced Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma: A Case Report.

Here, we report an unusual case of sarcomatoid carcinoma mimicking extraskeletal osteosarcoma that manifested as recurrent rectal cancer. Five years earlier, a 76-year-old male patient had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by a laparoscopic low anterior resection due to adenocarcinoma of the rectum. He was admitted because of pain in the anus and left hip. He underwent abdominal computed tomography that revealed a newly developed left perirectal mass with gluteus maximus invasion measuring up to 8 cm, and therefore, an abdominoperineal resection was performed. Histologically, the tumor revealed sheets of spindled or epithelioid cells, an absence of gland formation, mucicarmine and periodic acid-Schiff stain negativity, and prominent intercellular deposits of osteoid-like calcified tissue. Tumor cells were diffusely immunoreactive for vimentin and cytokeratins. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated microvilli on the surface or within intercellular spaces. In this report, we also discuss the possible pathogenesis as well as the differential diagnosis.

Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa): a case report with a review of literatures.

Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are very rare. We report a primary hepatic PEComa with a review of the literature. A 56-year-old women presented with a nodular mass detected during the management of chronic renal failure and chronic hepatitis C. Diagnostic imaging studies suggested a nodular hepatocellular carcinoma in segment 5 of the liver. The patient underwent partial hepatectomy. A brown-colored expansile mass measuring 3.2×3.0 cm was relatively demarcated from the surrounding liver parenchyma. The tumor was mainly composed of epithelioid cells that were arranged in a trabecular growth pattern. Adipose tissue and thick-walled blood vessels were minimally identified. A small amount of extramedullary hematopoiesis was observed in the sinusoidal spaces between tumor cells. Tumor cells were diffusely immunoreactive for human melanoma black 45 (HMB45) and Melan A, focally immunoreactive for smooth muscle actin, but not for hepatocyte specific antigen (HSA).

Increased Expression of Thymosin ß4 Is Independently Correlated with Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Worse Clinical Outcome in Human Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thymosin ß4 is a multi-functional hormone-like polypeptide, being involved in cell migration, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. This study was undertaken to clarify the clinicopathologic implications of thymosin ß4 expression in human colorectal cancers (CRCs). METHODS: We investigated tissue sections from 143 patients with CRC by immunohistochemistry. In addition, we evaluated the expression patterns and the clinico-pathological significance of thymosin ß4 expression in association with hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in the CRC series. RESULTS: High expression of thymosin ß4 was significantly correlated with lymphovascular invasion, invasion depth, regional lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. Patients with high expression of thymosin ß4 showed poor recurrence-free survival (p = .001) and poor overall survival (p = .005) on multivariate analysis. We also found that thymosin ß4 and HIF-1α were overexpressed and that thymosin ß4 expression increased in parallel with HIF-1α expression in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: A high expression level of thymosin ß4 indicates poor clinical outcomes and may be a useful prognostic factor in CRC. Thymosin ß4 is functionally related with HIF-1α and may be a potentially valuable biomarker and possible therapeutic target for CRC.

Difference of the Nuclear Green Light Intensity between Papillary Carcinoma Cells Showing Clear Nuclei and Non-neoplastic Follicular Epithelia in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There is subjective disagreement regarding nuclear clearing in papillary thyroid carcinoma. In this study, using digital instruments, we were able to quantify many ambiguous pathologic features and use numeric data to express our findings. METHODS: We examined 30 papillary thyroid carcinomas. For each case, we selected representative cancer cells showing clear nuclei and surrounding non-neoplastic follicular epithelial cells and evaluated objective values of green light intensity (GLI) for quantitative analysis of nuclear clearing in papillary thyroid carcinoma. RESULTS: From 16,274 GLI values from 600 cancer cell nuclei and 13,752 GLI values from 596 non-neoplastic follicular epithelial nuclei, we found a high correlation of 94.9% between GLI and clear nuclei. GLI between the cancer group showing clear nuclei and non-neoplastic follicular epithelia was statistically significant. The overall average level of GLI in the cancer group was over two times higher than the non-neoplastic group despite a wide range of GLI. On a polygonal line graph, there was a fluctuating unique difference between both the cancer and non-neoplastic groups in each patient, which was comparable to the microscopic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear GLI could be a useful factor for discriminating between carcinoma cells showing clear nuclei and non-neoplastic follicular epithelia in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Primary extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma in the sigmoid colon.

An endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is an uncommon uterine neoplasm, and its primary occurrence in the intestine as an extrauterine ESS (EESS) is exceedingly rare. We hereby report a primary EESS arising in the sigmoid colon with a review of the literature. A 52-year-old woman presented with bloody stool and underwent a colon fiberscopy, which revealed a fungating mass obstructing the lumen at the distal sigmoid. A laparoscopic low anterior resection was performed, and an umbilicated polypoid mass was identified; on section, it had infiltrated the mesocolic fat and measured 3.8 cm × 2.5 cm. The tumor showed geographic sheets or nests composed of relatively monotonous stromal cells, expansion or infiltration to the proper muscle and mesocolic fat, and extensive lymphovascular invasion and metastasis to regional lymph nodes and the pelvic peritoneum. The tumor cells were strongly and diffusely immunoreactive for CD10, but negative for c-kit, CD34, and Dog1. Two months later, a hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, and no evidence of an ESS was found in the uterus.

Expression of HuR and Cyclooxygenase-2 in Nodular Fasciitis and Low-Grade Sarcoma: An Immunohistochemical Study.

BACKGROUND: Nodular fasciitis is the most common reactive mesenchymal lesion to be misidentified as a type of sarcoma. HuR is an mRNA-binding protein that can stabilize cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA leading to COX-2 overexpression. The aim of this study is a comparison of the expressions of COX-2 and HuR and the relationships between their expressions and the clinicopathological parameters in nodular fasciitis and low-grade sarcoma. METHODS: We measured the expression of HuR and COX-2 in 21 cases of nodular fasciitis and 37 cases of low-grade sarcoma using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The frequency of cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for HuR was 5 of 21 cases of nodular fasciitis (23.8%) and 23 of 37 cases of low-grade sarcoma (62.1%) (p=.013). COX-2 expression was moderate or strong in nodular fasciitis (12/21, 57.1%) and in low-grade sarcoma (29/37, 78.4%) (p=.034). In addition, a significant difference existed between these two entities in terms of the relationship between moderate or strong COX-2 expression and HuR cytoplasmic immunoreactivity (p=.009). Moderate or strong COX-2 immunoreactivity correlated with nuclear (p=.016) or cytoplasmic HuR (p=.024) expression in low-grade sarcoma but not in nodular fasciitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that HuR and COX-2 expression may be useful to differentiate nodular fasciitis from low-grade sarcoma.

Risk factors for acute hepatitis A infection in Korea in 2007 and 2009: a case-control study.

This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the Korean population. Participants were recruited from five referral hospitals across the country in 2007 and from 11 hospitals in 2009. Patients with positive anti-HAV IgM antibody tests became the case group, while patients treated for non-contagious diseases at the same hospitals were recruited as controls. A total of 222 and 548 case-control pairs were studied in the 2007 and 2009 surveys, respectively. Data from the surveys were analyzed jointly. In a multivariate analysis, sharing the household with HAV-infected family members (OR, 6.32; 95% CI, 1.4-29.6), contact with other HAV-infected individuals (OR, 4.73; 95% CI, 2.4-9.4), overseas travel in 2007 (OR, 19.93; 95% CI, 2.3-174.4), consumption of raw shellfish (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.8-3.5), drinking bottled water (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.3-8.4), and occupation that involve handling food (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.3-8.4) increased the risk of HAV infection. Avoiding contact with HAV-infected individuals and avoiding raw foods eating could help minimize the risk of hepatitis A infection. Immunization must be beneficial to individuals who handle food ingredients occupationally or travel overseas to HAV-endemic areas.

Eosinophilic granuloma in the anterior mandible mimicking radicular cyst.

Eosinophilic granuloma is a common expression of Langerhans cell histiocytosis and corresponds with typical bone lesions. The radiographic appearance of eosinophilic granuloma in the jaw is variable and not specific. It may resemble periodontitis, radicular cyst, or malignancies. The purpose of this report is to describe the characteristic radiographic features of eosinophilic granuloma of a 39-year-old male. The lesion in the anterior mandible was first diagnosed as radicular cyst because the radiographic findings were ovoid radiolucent lesion with well-defined border. However, careful interpretation revealed a non-corticated border and floating tooth appearance that were the characteristic radiographic features for the differential diagnosis. Early clinical signs of eosinophilic granuloma can occur in the jaw and a bony destructive lesion might be mistaken for periodontitis or an odontogenic cystic lesion; therefore, careful interpretation of radiographs should be emphasized.

A comprehensive in vitro and in vivo study of ZnO nanoparticles toxicity.

Nowadays, the exploration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) based products is booming in the various directions of bio-nanomedicine and other consumer products, but the comprehensive toxicological impact posed by ZnO NPs still remains unclear. The present study systematically investigates and correlates the toxicity evaluation of ZnO NPs in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages (in vitro) and male ICR mice (in vivo) by two different administration routes, i.e. g.i. and i.p. at different doses. The in vitro studies showed a slight rise in intracellular reactive oxygen species level (ROS), NF-κB transcription factor expression (TF) and NPs uptake at higher dose, indicating the non-toxic nature of ZnO NPs below 100 µg mL-1 doses. The in vivo results demonstrate a slight gain in body weight (BW), reduction in the organ weight, mild to severe pathological alteration in the organs depending upon NP dosage and mode of administration routes. The histopathological investigation suggests that the liver, kidney, lung, spleen, and pancreas may be the target organs for ZnO NPs according to the administration routes. Serum biochemistry assay shows an elevation in the GPT and ALP level, suggesting liver dysfunction. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the toxic effects of ZnO NPs through i.p. administration. Further, the present work will offer a deeper understanding regarding the toxicology and in vivo behaviours of ZnO NPs in mice depending upon the various administration routes.

A case of paratesticular leiomyosarcoma successfully treated with orchiectomy and chemotherapy.

A 50-year-old male patient presented with a right scrotal mass that had been growing rapidly for more than one year. A heterogeneous enhancing right scrotal mass (12×9 cm) with para-aortic and peri-caval lymphadenopathies was found on abdominal computed tomography (CT). Right orchiectomy was performed and the gross finding had shown intact testis with a well-defined, huge, whitish solid mass adjacent to the testis. According to pathology, the mass was characterized as a leiomyosarcoma, grade 3 (by National Cancer Instituted [NCI] system). Therefore, the diagnosis was stage III, grade 3 paratesticular leiomyosarcoma. The patient underwent additional systemic chemotherapy using ifosfamide and adriamycin. After nine cycles of chemotherapy, positron emission tomography-CT was performed and no FDP uptake was observed. The patient has been followed up for 12 months after systemic chemotherapy, and he has maintained a complete response. We report here on a rare case of paratesticular leiomyosarcoma treated successfully with orichiectomy and additional systemic chemotherapy.

Sudden death in the first 2 years of life following immunization in the Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: Because the peak age for incidence of sudden deaths in infancy temporally coincides with the age of infant primary immunization, some have raised the question as to whether immunization is a risk factor for sudden death in infancy. Recent occurrence of two sudden deaths in infants in Korea has renewed concerns about the causal association between immunization and sudden deaths in infants. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review of data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System and Vaccine Compensation programs. RESULTS: From 1994 to 2011, a total of 45 cases of sudden deaths in the first 2 years of life following immunization were reported in Korea. The causes of death were classified as follows: infectious diseases (n= 13); accidental injuries (n= 7); congenital abnormalities (n= 2); and malignancy (n= 1). Of 20 sudden deaths in infancy, nine deaths met Brighton Collaboration case definition level I and II, and therefore were classified as possible sudden infant death syndrome cases. Hepatitis B vaccine (n= 13) was the most frequent vaccine with temporal association with sudden deaths in the first 2 years of life. CONCLUSION: Few sudden deaths in the first 2 years of life following immunization have been reported, despite the use of universal immunization in Korea. The majority of deaths in infancy did not meet case definition for sudden infant death syndrome. Encouraging investigators to perform thorough investigation, including postmortem autopsy and death scene examination, may promote data comparability and provide guidance on decision-making in the vaccine-safety monitoring and response system in Korea.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: (18)F-FDG PET/CT Imaging Features-A Case Report.

The diagnostic role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for gallbladder small cell carcinoma has not been reported. A knowledge of the imaging characteristic features of this malignancy can be useful. Here we report a rare case of a patient who had various diagnostic imaging modalities, including (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

[The relationship between physical activity and clustering of metabolic abnormalities in children].

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess the association between physical activity and the clustering of metabolic abnormalities among Korean children. The effect of substituting moderate to vigorous physical activity for the time spent in inactivity was examined as well. METHODS: The study subjects were comprised of 692 (354 boys, 338 girls) 4th grade elementary school students. We used a modified form of the physical activity questionnaire that was developed in the Five-City Project. The subjects with clustering of metabolic abnormalities were defined as having two or more of the following five characteristics: waist circumference > or =90 %, systolic or diastolic blood pressure > or =90 %, fasting glucose > or =110 mg/dl, triglycerides > or =110 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol < or =40 mg/dl. We calculated the odds ratios to assess the effect of substituting moderate to vigorous physical activity for time spent in inactivity. RESULTS: The risk of clustered metabolic abnormalities was inversely correlated with the increased time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity, but the correlation was not significant. The odds ratio for clustering of metabolic abnormalities that represented the effect of substituting moderate to vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes of sedentary activity was 0.87 (95% CI=0.76-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that substituting moderate to vigorous physical activity for sedentary activity could decrease the risk of clustered metabolic abnormalities.

Cytoplasmic HuR over-expression is associated with increased cyclooxygenase-2 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

AIMS: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of prostaglandins and is over-expressed in a variety of premalignant and malignant conditions. The human embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV)-like protein, HuR, is an mRNA stability protein that can regulate COX-2 expression. Because the regulation of gene expression through the post-transcriptional modification of the mRNA stability is an important mechanism in the control of cellular growth, this study investigated the expression and cellular localisation of the HuR protein and the relationships between COX-2 and HuR in laryngeal epithelium. METHODS: The expression patterns of HuR and COX-2 in 39 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and paired samples of 38 normal and/or 30 dysplastic mucosa adjacent to an infiltrating carcinoma were analysed by immunohistochemistry and compared. RESULTS: An immunohistochemical evaluation of the specimens revealed high nuclear and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for HuR in 39 (100%) and 26 (66.6%) of 39 lesions with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, 27 (90.0%) and one (3.3%) of 30 lesions with epithelial dysplasia, and 19 (50.0%) and 0 (0%) of 38 specimens with normal-appearing laryngeal epithelium, respectively. High levels of COX-2 expression were observed in 66.6% and 6.7% of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and epithelial dysplasia, respectively, but no COX-2 expression was detected in the normal epithelium. There was no significant correlation between HuR expression and the other clinicopathological parameters such as age, site, tumour size, or nodal status as well as histological differentiation. There was a statistically significant correlation between COX-2 immunoreactivity and the cytoplasmic HuR expression level in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the fact that HuR in the cytoplasm indicates mRNA dysregulation of COX-2, our results suggest that their correlation plays an important role in the development and progression of laryngeal carcinoma.