Gender-specific association of androgenetic alopecia with metabolic syndrome in a middle-aged Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Although several previous studies have investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the study results have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of MetS and AGA according to gender in a middle-aged Korean population. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. In total, 3408 subjects (1707 men and 1701 women) were enrolled between January 2008 and February 2010. The Norwood classification for men and Ludwig classification for women were used for assessment of the degree of hair loss. Information on components of MetS together with other possible risk factors was collected. RESULTS: In men, the risk of having Norwood type IV or greater was not increased for subjects with MetS compared with those without MetS. In women, the risk of having Ludwig type I or greater was significantly increased for subjects with MetS compared with those without MetS after controlling for age and smoking status (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.48; P=0.01). Similar results were also observed for the number of fulfilled components of MetS [odds ratio (OR) 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.91; P<0.05]. When each component of MetS was considered individually, associations between AGA and all five components of MetS (waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-C, blood glucose, and blood pressure) were not statistically significant. When multiple regression was used to adjust for age, family history and smoking, there was no significant association between the prevalence of MetS and moderate to severe AGA in the male group. On the contrary, a statistically significant positive association was noted between the prevalence of MetS and AGA in the female group. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of AGA and the prevalence of MetS in a large population-based cohort demonstrated quite different findings compared with previous reports. The different results according to gender suggest that there may be different mechanisms that are yet to be defined between male and female AGA.

The effect of the respiratory cycle on liver stiffness values as measured by transient elastography.

The findings of several studies suggest that liver stiffness values can be affected by the degree of intrahepatic congestion respiration influence intrahepatic blood volume and may affect liver stiffness. We evaluated the influence of respiration on liver stiffness. Transient elastography (TE) was performed at the end of inspiration and at the end of expiration in patients with chronic liver disease. The median values obtained during the inspiration set and during the expiration set were defined as inspiratory and expiratory liver stiffness, respectively. A total of 123 patients with chronic liver disease were enrolled (mean age 49years; 64.2% men). Liver cirrhosis coexisted in 29 patients (23.6%). Expiratory liver stiffness was significantly higher than inspiratory liver stiffness (8.7 vs 7.9kPa, P=0.001), while the expiratory interquartile range/median ratio (IQR ratio) did not differ from the inspiratory IQR ratio. Expiratory liver stiffness was significantly higher than inspiratory liver stiffness in 49 (39.8%) patients (HE group), expiratory liver stiffness was significantly lower than inspiratory stiffness in 15 (12.2%) patients, and there was no difference in 59 (48.0%) patients. Liver cirrhosis was more frequent in those who had a lower liver stiffness reading in expiration, and only the absence of liver cirrhosis was significantly associated with a higher reading in expiration in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, liver stiffness was significantly elevated during expiration especially in patients without liver cirrhosis. The effect of respiration should be kept in mind during TE readings.

Analysis of heterocyclic amines and beta-carbolines by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in cooked meats commonly consumed in Korea.

Heterocyclic amines (HAs), which form in meats during heating and cooking, are recognized as mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. In this study, 13 HAs and 2 beta-carbolines (BCs) were analyzed in cooked Korean meat products, including griddled bacon, griddled pork loin, boiled pork loin, boiled chicken meat, chicken meat stock, chicken breast for salad and chicken patty. The samples were either cooked in the laboratory or purchased from local fast-food restaurants. The HAs and BCs in the samples were separated using solid-phase extraction and were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The most frequently detected HAs and BCs in the cooked meats were harman (1-methyl-9H pyrido[4,3-b]indole; 990.9 ng g(-1)), norharman (9H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole; 412.7 ng g(-1)) and PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine; 258.2 ng g(-1)). The griddled pork loin and bacon contained higher levels of norharman, harman and PhIP than the other cooked meats. PhIP, which is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, had levels of 258.2 and 168.2 ng g(-1) in the griddled pork loin and griddled bacon, respectively. The griddled bacon was the only sample containing TriMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,7,8-tetramethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline; 79.9 ng g(-1)). IQ (2-amino-3-methyl imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), 7,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline), 4,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) and AalphaC (2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole) were detected at trace levels in all samples.

Effect of cooking or handling conditions on the furan levels of processed foods.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of cooking or handling conditions on the concentration of furan in processed foods. The analytical method used to analyse furan levels in foods was optimized based on solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). In baby soups, the concentration of furan decreased by up to 22% after opening a lid for 10 min. In the baby food in retort packaging, the level of furan was reduced by 15-33% after heating the foods at 50 degrees C without a lid. Furan in rice seasonings was evaporated completely after heating the foods at 60 degrees C. Regarding powered milk, the levels of furan were too low to be compared under various conditions. The levels of furan decreased to 58% in beverage products for babies, after storing them at 4 degrees C for 1 day without a lid. The levels of furan in canned foods such as cereal and vegetable were reduced by zero to 52% when they were stored without stirring in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C for 1 day. When we boiled canned fish, the furan present was almost completely evaporated. It is recommended that canned meats be heated up to 50-70 degrees C for the reduction (26-46%) of furan levels. The levels of furan in instant and brewed coffee samples were significantly reduced after storing for 11 to 20 min at room temperature without a lid (p < 0.05).

Murine strain differences in 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine formation in hepatic DNA induced by oxidized lard and dietary oils.

Difference of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) formation in liver DNA in C3H/HeN and in C57BL/6 mice--fed oxidized lard and dietary oils (soybean and sardine)--was investigated. The blank levels of 8-OH-dG were higher in C3H/HeN mice (highly sensitive to liver tumorigenesis) than in C57BL/6 mice (resistant strain). The level of 8-OH-dG increased much more in C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice fed by oxidized lard and dietary oil treatment. Feeding oxidized lard and dietary oils increased 8-oxo-guanine DNA glycosylase I (OGG1) and mRNA 8-oxo-dGTPase in C57BL/6 mice. On the other hand, no appreciable change of mRNA in the C3H/HeN mice was observed. The formation differences of 8-OH-dG from the two murine strains fed with oxidized lard and dietary oils may be associated with the different mRNA levels in the DNA repair enzymes because the mRNA levels in the DNA repair enzymes were much lower in C3H/HeN mice than in C57BL/6 mice.

Liver carcinogenesis and formation of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in C3H/HeN mice by oxidized dietary oils containing carcinogenic dicarbonyl compounds.

Oxidized dietary oils (lard, soybean oil, and sardine oil) were orally administered to C3H/HeN male mice. After 6 months, benign hepatocellular adenoma was observed in the mice treated with all three oxidized dietary oils. After 12 months, malignant hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma were observed in addition to the benign tumor. Oxidized sardine oil caused the highest tumor incidence (35%) and malignant tumors (27.5%) among the oxidized dietary oils tested. Mice treated with oxidized lard and sardine oil exhibited a significant increase of 8-OH-dG in the livers. The amounts of 8-OH-dG found in the mice treated with oxidized sardine oil correlated with the rates of tumor incidence. After 6 months, mRNA decreased in the case of oxidized lard and sardine oil, whereas it increased in the case of oxidized soybean oil, either in 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) or in 8-oxo-dGTPase. On the other hand, there was no appreciable change in mRNA, in either OGG1 or 8-oxo-dGTPase, after 12 months. Oxidized sardine oil contained the highest level of malonaldehyde (MA) (713+/-91.1 nmol/g) and glyoxal (33.3+/-5.2 nmol/g) among three oxidized oils. The malignant tumor incidence correlated with the high level of MA and glyoxal found in the dietary oils tested.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the face: a rare case report.

Solitary fibrous tumour is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that most commonly involves the pleura. The diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumour is primarily histological. It consists of histological and positive immunohistochemical findings of CD-34 and vimentin. Recently, solitary fibrous tumour has been reported to occur in extrapleural soft tissues, such as the orbit, nasal cavity, abdominal cavity, parotid gland, scalp and neck. In an extensive review of the literature, we found no reports of solitary fibrous tumour arising in the facial soft tissue, other than in the parotid gland. This rare location of an uncommon lesion can lead to a confusing diagnosis. We report a case of solitary fibrous tumour originating in the temporal region of the face, and call for awareness of this tumour among plastic surgeons.

Mucinous cystadenoma coexisting with stromal tumor with minor sex-cord elements of the ovary: a case report.

Mucinous neoplasms occur rarely in association with cystic teratoma, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, granulosa cell tumor or carcinoid tumor. Several cases of an ovarian stromal tumor with minor sex-cord elements have been reported in the literatures. However, there has been no report about an ovarian mucinous neoplasm coexisting with a stromal tumor with sex-cord elements yet. We report a case of an ovarian neoplasm composed of both mucinous cystadenoma and stromal tumor with minor sex-cord elements in a 58-yr-old female. The ovary including the mass measured 5 cm in size. On section, it revealed an unilocular cyst (4.5 cm in diameter) filled with mucinous fluid. There was a round, yellow, solid nodule, 1.5 cm in diameter within the wall. Microscopically, the cyst was lined by a single layer of endocervical mucinous epithelium and the nodule was composed of spindle cells showing an intersecting and whorled arrangement. There were cell nests showing polygonal shape with abundant cytoplasm among the spindle cells. They showed immunoreactivity for inhibin and did not have any connection with the adjacent mucinous epithelium. Therefore, we interpret the mucinous cystadenoma as having arisen de novo.

Determination of antioxidant properties of aroma extracts from various beans.

Aroma extracts from fresh soybeans, mung beans, kidney beans, and azuki beans were prepared using simultaneous steam distillation and solvent extraction (SDE) under mild conditions (55 degrees C and 95 mmHg). Extracts were examined for antioxidative activities in two different assays. The aroma extracts isolated from all beans inhibited the oxidation of hexanal for nearly one month at a level of 250 microL/mL. Mung bean and soybean extracts inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation from cod-liver oil by 86% and 88%, respectively, at the 250 microL/mL level. Azuki and kidney bean extracts inhibited MA formation from cod-liver oil by 76% and 53%, respectively, at the 250 microL/mL level. The antioxidative activities of mung bean and soybean extracts were comparable with that of the natural antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).

Antioxidant properties of aroma compounds isolated from soybeans and mung beans.

Aroma compounds contained in the extracts of soybean and mung bean that possess antioxidant activity were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major aroma constituents of soybeans were 1-octen-3-ol (13.699 ppm), maltol (1.662 ppm), phenylethyl alcohol (1.474 ppm), hexanol (1.430 ppm), and gamma-butyrolactone (1.370 ppm). The major aroma constituents of mung beans were hexanol (3.234 ppm), benzyl alcohol (2.060 ppm), gamma-butyrolactone (1.857 ppm), 2-methyl-2-propenal (1. 633 ppm), and pentanol (1.363 ppm). The major aroma chemicals of soybeans and mung beans were examined for antioxidative activities in two different assays. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol showed potent antioxidative activities in two different assays. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol inhibited the oxidation of hexanal by 100%, 93%, 84%, and 32%, respectively, for a period of 40 days at the 500 microg/mL level. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation from cod liver oil by 91%, 78%, 78%, and 78%, respectively, at the 160 microg/mL level. The antioxidative activity of eugenol was comparable to that of the natural antioxidant alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).

Detection of human papillomavirus in warty carcinoma of the uterine cervix: comparison of immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and in situ polymerase chain reaction methods.

Warty carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a very rare specific variant of invasive squamous cell carcinoma, usually described as a hybrid feature of condyloma with invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Besides having the koilocytes and maturation of squamous epithelium, there is unequivocal stromal invasion. The feathery surface seems to be characteristic of warty carcinoma, differentiating it from condylomata acuminata or verrucous carcinoma. Using in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) as well as an immunohistochemical technique (IHC), we determined the amplification and expression of several human papilloma virus (HPV) types (6, 11, 33, 16 and 18) in nine warty carcinomas of the uterine cervix. We found amplified HPV predominantly in the nuclei of the feathery surface in all cases only when IS-PCR was applied, while it was detected only in five (55.6%) or six cases (66.7%) by conventional IHC or ISH, respectively. We found multiple types in the same lesion in six cases (66.7%) by IS-PCR, in comparison with ISH which detected a lower incidence (22.2%). This finding of coinfection is more consistent with that seen in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) of the uterine cervix than in high SIL. It is important to be aware of these distinct lesions in postmenopausal women with their characteristic feathery and thin surface, as well as a hybrid form of exophytic condyloma and stromal invasion, and frequent coinfection of multiple different HPVs as a type of LSILs.

Malignant eccrine spiradenoma with florid squamous differentiation.

Malignant eccrine spiradenoma (MES) is an exceedingly rare neoplasm of cutaneous adnexal origin. To date, 31 cases have been documented in the literature. We herein report an additional case of MES that arose in longstanding eccrine spiradenoma (ES). A 54-year-old woman was seen for a bluish nodular mass on the right flank that previously had been stable for 7 to 8 years and had recently increased in size and become tender. The excised mass (2.8 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm) had no attachment to the overlying epidermis. Microscopically, 2 to 3 sharply demarcated lobules were surrounded by a markedly thickened and hyalinized fibrous capsule. Of the lesion removed, approximately 20% of the tumor showed typical histologic features of benign ES. In the remaining malignant areas, the typical configuration of benign counterpart, consisting of peripheral rows of small dark basaloid cells and central layers of large pale cells partially forming lumina, was replaced with a massive solid proliferation of large pale cells showing nuclear pleomorphism, prominent nucleoli, increased mitotic activity (reaching 12/10 HPF) and loss of PAS-positive basement membrane. There were multiple foci of florid squamous differentiation in the malignant portion. Cytokeratin, focally S-100 and EMA were expressed in large pale cells, whereas alpha smooth muscle actin and S-100 were positive in small dark basaloid cells. Focal reactivity of CEA and EMA was found in the central lumina. P53 was not expressed in benign areas, whilst in malignant areas an occasional nuclear reaction was disclosed.

Cytologic evaluation of primary malignant vascular tumors of the liver. One case each of angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the cytologic features of angiosarcoma (AS) and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) of the liver. STUDY DESIGN: Fine needle aspirates and succeeding tissue biopsies from one case each of hepatic AS and EH were obtained. Both aspirates were compared for differences in cytologic features. RESULTS: In the case of EH, the tumor cells were dispersed almost singly but occasionally assumed an acinuslike shape. They were polymorphic and had a folded nuclear outline with lacy and hematoxyphilic cytoplasm. Occasional intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions and frequent binucleated or multinucleated giant cells were also characteristic. The tumor cells of AS showed tightly cohesive clusters forming syncytium in the bloody background with heavy aggregates of polymorphonuclear cells. The tumor cells were larger and more atypical but less polymorphic than those of EH. Each tumor cell of AS had a very distinct, huge, eosinophilic nucleolus and abundant cytoplasm of honeycombing micro/macrovesicular features. Frequently, huge intracytoplasmic vacuoles similar to those in signet-ring cells were present. CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of malignant hepatic vascular tumor is possible by aspiration cytology provided that one is aware of these entities and some distinctive cytologic findings.

Diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis with fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytologic examination under ultrasonographic guides.

The efficacy of the fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytological examination (FNABC) under ultrasonographic (US) guides for the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis was assessed. In one hundred and one patients with a neck mass or masses, tuberculous lymphadenitis has been proved by FNABC. US disclosed the physical characteristics of the masses: All the cases that involved two or more lymph nodes were multiple lesions. Eighty lesions (79.1%) were multiregional, and in 19 cases (18.8%), bilateral neck was involved. The posterior triangle of the neck was the most prevalent site (N = 69, 68.3%). Ninety two cases (90.9%) were hypoechoic lesions and 9 (9.1%) showed mixed echo patterns. There was no hyperechoic lesion (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of FNABC was 77.2% and the specificity was 99.0%. The diagnostic accuracy was 85.0%. There was no complication during the procedure. FNABC for the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is a safe, convenient procedure and has a relatively high specificity. The limitation of FNABC, the low sensitivity, seemed to be compensated by US examinations.

Acquired tufted angioma associated with pregnancy.

Acquired tufted angioma is a distinctive condition that is different from other types of acquired vascular proliferation. Despite the progressive spread of these angiomas, they appear to be benign, and malignant change has not been encountered. We describe a case of recurrent acquired tufted angioma associated with pregnancy, an association which has not been previously recorded.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pulmonary adenocarcinoma of fetal type: report of a case with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

This report describes the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a case of adenocarcinoma resembling fetal lung in a 53-yr-old male, a very uncommon malignant tumor of the lung that is similar to an early stage of lung differentiation. FNA smears revealed relatively small, fairly uniform tumor cells appearing as cohesive cell groups and scattered, isolated cells, some of them showing a rosette or acinus pattern. In addition, clusters of larger cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli existed contiguously with the small cells or separately. The possibilities of an unusual type of adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumor, and pulmonary blastoma were suggested by the cytologic findings. Immunohistochemical studies performed on a resected tumor tissue showed immunoreactivity for alpha-fetoprotein, neuron-specific enolase, and somatostatin, and endocrine-type granules were found ultrastructurally. This type of adenocarcinoma is considered to have a histogenesis similar to that of pulmonary blastoma. To our knowledge this is the first reported case in the cytologic literature.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies of polymorphic reticulosis.

This study reviewed 65 cases of polymorphic reticulosis (PR) with respect to clinical and histopathologic bases, and immunohistochemical studies were done using MT1 and UCHL as T-cell markers, MB2 as a B-cell marker and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin as a histiocytic marker. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The male to female ratio was 2.4:1 and the mean age of patients was 44.5 years. The sites involved primarily were the nasal cavity, tonsil and pharynx and about one-fourth of the total cases showed extensive involvement of two anatomical sites at initial presentation. 2. Almost all cases showed characteristic histologic features similar to those of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and showed positive reaction to the T-cell marker. The above immunohistochemical findings suggest strongly that quite a significant portion of PR is in fact T-cell lymphoma.