Comparison of a direct enzymatic assay and polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis for measurement of small, dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

BACKGROUND: Small, dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) has been linked to the progression of cardiovascular disease. We compared two methods for determination of sdLDL-C, a direct enzymatic (ENZ) method and a polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis (PGE) assay, and investigated the associations of both sdLDL-C measurements with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We analyzed 242 patient sera for sdLDL and atherosclerosis-related markers. The PGE method separates the intermediate-density lipoprotein particles into three midbands (MID-A to MID-C) and the LDL particles into seven subfractions (LDL1 to LDL7); the sdLDL-PGE result is calculated as the sum of cholesterol concentrations from LDL3 to LDL7. RESULTS: The regression equation for sdLDL-C was [ENZmmol/L]=0.779[PGE]+0.67, r=0.713. ENZ showed higher sdLDL-C concentrations than PGE (0.86±0.33 vs. 0.24±0.32 mmol/L); however, the difference was not associated with sdLDL-C concentration (p=0.290). sdLDL-C, as measured with the enzymatic assay, exhibited significant positive correlations with very-low-density lipoprotein, MID-C, MID-B, and LDL2 (all p<0.001), considered atherogenic lipoproteins, but did not correlate with the less atherogenic lipoproteins MID-A and LDL1 (all p>0.600). The ENZ and PGE methods yielded similar patterns of correlation between sdLDL-C, and atherosclerosis-related markers. Using logistic regression, sdLDL-ENZ and apolipoprotein B were identified as significant predictors of metabolic syndrome (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The ENZ assay for sdLDL-C correlated well with the PGE method. The ENZ method measures a broader range of atherogenic lipoprotein particles than PGE and has the potential to identify subjects with vascular risk, thus contributing in directing specific interventions for cardiovascular prevention.

Case report: Increased viral receptor expression associated with high viral load and severe pneumonia in a young patient infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza a with no pre-existing conditions.

A case of unusually high severity of influenza pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death was investigated. This was a previously a healthy 28-year-old man with no underlying conditions, admitted to a hospital during the first wave of influenza pandemic in Thailand in July 2009. He had experienced high fever and influenza-like illness for 5 days before coming to the hospital. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and expired on day 7 after admission. In comparison to three other cases of influenza pneumonia in the same outbreak with known risk factors for severe influenza, such as pregnancy and diabetes mellitus, a much higher viral load was detected in the lungs of this patient despite antiviral treatment. In agreement with the high viral load, the lung specimens from this patient, but not the other three patients, showed a high expression of α-2,6-linked sialic acid by lectin staining. The gene responsible for the synthesis of this sialic acid was also found to be upregulated. The data indicated overexpression of the viral receptor as a potential mechanism for severe disease in some patients.

Coexisting vulvar Paget's disease and mucinous carcinoma of the breast: a case report and review of the literature.

Vulvar Paget 'disease is the most common site of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). The disease frequently associated with the underlying invasive skin adnexal carcinoma or representing the migration of underlying internal malignancy, especially anorectal and genitourinary cancer, but the coexisting with primary breast cancer is rare. Herein, the authors report a case of a 46-year-old Thai woman who had vulvar Paget's disease with subsequent development of mucinous carcinoma of the breast. Interestingly, the overexpression of HER-2/neu in vulvar Paget's disease raises the additional option of anti-HER-2/neu antibody therapy in highly aggressive or recurrent disease. In conclusion, primary breast cancer should be of concern in patients with vulva Paget's disease, even though it is an uncommon association.

Adrenal histoplasmosis: a case series and review of the literature.

Adrenal histoplasmosis is an uncommon mycotic disease typically caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The objective was to determine the clinicopathological findings in adrenal histoplasmosis. Pathological records were searched from the database at the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University from 1993 to 2008 for cases of adrenal histoplasmosis. The keywords were "histoplasmosis" and "adrenal gland". Adrenal histoplasmosis was diagnosed by histopathology and Gomori-Grocott methenamine silver staining. Histoplasma capsulatum was confirmed by tissue culture and/or serology. The authors report seven cases of adrenal histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 67 years. All patients presented as chronic fatigue syndrome. The onset of symptoms ranged from one to three months. Addison's disease was found in adrenal histoplasmosis in one case (14.3%). The computed tomography revealed adrenal nodules measuring 1.2 to 7.8 cm in diameter. The histopathology showed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis. Culture of adrenal tissue from two patients revealed Histoplasma capsulatum. Serum Histoplasma antibodies were positive in four cases. A cure was accomplished in 6 out of 7 cases (85.7%). The patients were followed up for 2.5 to 16.5 years.

Quinacrine sterilization and gynecologic cancers: a case-control study in northern Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Over 100,000 women worldwide have been sterilized by insertion of quinacrine into the uterus to induce tubal scarring. Concern has been expressed about possible carcinogenicity, and specifically the risk of uterine cancer. METHODS: From 2001 through 2006, we conducted a population-based, case-control study of gynecologic cancers in 12 provinces in northern Vietnam, where relatively large numbers of women had received quinacrine. Cases of incident cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer were identified at provincial hospitals or at referral hospitals in Hanoi. For each case, 3 age- and residence-matched controls were randomly selected from the population registries of the case's home community. RESULTS: The prevalence of quinacrine exposure was 1.2% among cases and 1.1% among controls. For cervical cancer, analysis of 606 cases (9 exposed) and their 1774 matched controls (18 exposed) produced an odds ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval = 0.59-3.48) (adjusted for several covariates including human papillomavirus risk score). For ovarian cancer, based on 262 cases (3 exposed) and 755 controls (8 exposed) and adjusted for age and number of years of ovulation, the odds ratio was 1.26 (0.21-5.45). For uterine cancer, none of the cases-including 23 cases of leiomyosarcoma-was exposed to quinacrine. The 95% confidence interval, based on 161 cases (none exposed) and 470 controls (7 exposed) and adjusted only for age, was 0-1.85. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of a relationship between quinacrine sterilization and gynecologic cancer.

Predictive factors for residual disease in the uterine cervix after large loop excision of the transformation zone in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III.

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictive factors for residual disease in uterine cervix after large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN III). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Medical records of patients who underwent LLETZ with CIN III between September 1, 1992 and December 31, 2001 in Ramathibodi Hospital were reviewed. Demographic data, colposcopic findings, and pathologic parameters were analyzed to identify the predictive factors for residual disease in uterine cervix. RESULTS: The total of 541 cases were enrolled in this study. Managements after LLETZ are 1) repeated LLETZ, 2) hysterectomy, and 3) Papanicolaou smear. Residual disease was detected in a total of 156 patients (28.84%), there were 21 cases of CIN I (13.46%), 22 cases of CIN II (14.10%), 107 cases of CIN III (68.59%), and 6 (3.85%) cases of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of cervix. 1) Age > or = 50 years old was significant factor associated with residual disease. The incidence of residual disease was 50.00%. 2) Unsatisfactory colposcopy was significant factor associated with residual disease with 38.44% incidence of residual disease. 3) Margins involvement of LLETZ specimen was the only pathological predictive factor identified. The incidence of residual disease with clear margin, endocervical margin, ectocervical margin, and both margins involvement were 14.74, 52.63, 57.14, and 74.19% respectively. Other parameters, including gravidity, parity, menopausal status, cervical gland involvement, and number of quadrants involvement were not predictive of residual disease. CONCLUSION: 1) Age > or = 50 years old, 2) unsatisfactory colposcopy, and 3) margins involvement of LLETZ specimens were the predictive factors for residual disease in uterine cervix.

Double check up of malignancy biopsy specimens for patient safety.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic of malignancy in biopsy specimens is very important because it guides to selected treatment option and prognostic prediction. However biopsy specimens usually have small pieces leading to variations of the interpretation by anatomical pathologists. OBJECTIVE: To detect and correct the errors or the significant discrepancies in the diagnosis of biopsy specimens before sign-out and to determine the frequency of anatomic pathology significant discrepancies. DESIGN: The application of the mutually agreed work instructions (record) for the detection of errors or the significant discrepancies and their process of sign-out. The record of biopsy specimen that received a secondary check (1959 cases, 2005-2007) was analyzed. RESULTS: After a secondary check, 53 cases of non-malignancy for any reason by a second pathologist were included. However when using our definition on significant discrepancies, only 37 cases were considered. Another seven cases with the opinions with malignancy that were of different cell types that do harm to the patients were added. Therefore, 44 cases (2.25%) had truly significant discrepancies. CONCLUSION: The truly significant discrepancy frequency was 2.25% during the process of pre-sign-out secondary check of malignancy of biopsy specimens. The project has been applied as a routine daily work. It can be an innovative safety program for patient in Thailand.

Primary polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of the bronchus: complete tumor removal with bronchoscopic resection.

Primary polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is an uncommon malignant tumor arising from the minor salivary glands, but its occurrence as a primary tumor of the tracheobronchial tree is very rare. Herein, we have reported a rare case of endobronchial PLGA in a 56-year-old woman presenting with chronic cough and progressive exertional dyspnea. Chest CT clearly demonstrated an endobronchial tumor obstructing the distal part and bifurcation of the left main bronchus and causing distal atelectasis. She underwent rigid bronchoscope with electrocautery and bronchoscopic resection of the tumor. PLGA was diagnosed histologically. Subsequent left pneumonectomy was performed and showed no evidence of residual tumor.

Bronchial anthracostenosis with mediastinal fibrosis associated with long-term wood-smoke exposure.

Bronchial anthracostenosis describes a disease entity consisting of bronchial destruction, deformity and stenosis related to dark pigmentation on bronchoscopy in patients with a history of coal workers' pneumoconiosis or chronic exposure to biomass smoke. The combined occurrence of bronchial anthracostenosis and mediastinal fibrosis in association with wood-smoke exposure has not been previously reported. This case report describes a non-cigarette smoking elderly woman who developed bronchial anthracostenosis and mediastinal fibrosis after long-term exposure to wood smoke. Clinical and radiological improvements were achieved after treatment with corticosteroid and tamoxifen. Awareness of this unusual entity will help to avoid misdiagnosis of malignancy or unnecessary thoracotomy.

Correlation of internal organ weight with body weight and length in normal Thai adults.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review forensic autopsy cases of a Thai population to show the relationship between the normal internal organ weight and body weight and body length. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study included 561 autopsies from Ramathibodi Hospital from August 2003 to June 2007. The subjects were from sudden unnatural death following criteria. The weighed organs included brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. RESULTS: The ages ranged from 15 to 89 years and there were 461 males and 100 females. The Mean were represented by males and females; 1330/1208, 302/259, 831/659, 1390/1211, 96/81, and 252/222 in brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys respectively CONCLUSION: Relationship was found between internal organs weight and body weight and body length of males whereas, in females the weight of internal organs except the kidneys was not related to body length.

Performance of body mass index and percentage of body fat in predicting cardiometabolic risk factors in Thai adults.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (PBF) are used to measure obesity; however, their performance in identifying cardiometabolic risk in Southeast Asians is unclear. Generally, Asian women have higher PBF and lower BMI than do men and other ethnic populations. This study was conducted to address whether a discord exists between these measures in predicting obesity-related cardiometabolic risk in a Thai population and to test whether associations between the measures and risk factors for cardiovascular disease have a sex-specific inclination. METHODS: A total of 234 (76 men and 158 women) outpatients were recruited. BMI obesity cutoff points were ≥25.0 and ≥27.0 kg/m2 and PBF cutoff points were ≥35.0% and ≥25.0% for women and men, respectively. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein subclasses, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), adiponectin, leptin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of participants classified as normal-BMI had excessive fat, whereas 9% classified as normal-PBF had excessive BMI. Good relationships were found between BMI and PBF using sex stratification (R2 >0.5). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was markedly increased in overweight and/or excess body fat groups compared with lean group. Logistic regression analyses showed that BMI was the best predictor of hypertension. BMI was an independent predictor of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperleptinemia in women, whereas PBF was for men. However, PBF proved to be a good indicator for atherogenic lipoprotein particles in both sexes. Notably, neither index predicted increased hsCRP or 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Considerable sex-specific variations were observed between BMI and PBF in their associations with and predictability of numerous cardiometabolic biomarkers. No single measure provides a comprehensive risk predication as shown herein with the Thai population, and therefore both should be applied in screening activities.

Fate of mucosal healing in transplanted deep frozen irradiated tracheal homograft.

OBJECTIVE: Deep-frozen irradiated tracheal homograft has been successfully employed for subglottic-tracheal reconstruction, as in our previous report. Morphologically, though the transplanted site appeared to have good mucosal healing, the fate of the donor mucosa is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the survival of the mucosa of donor trachea. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: University hospital-based, prospective study. METHODS: Thirty samples from six sets of specimens, each set consisting of five samples of the tracheal mucosa, were studied. Of five samples in each set, 2 were taken from donors, one from a recipient, and another two from the transplanted sites, eight months postoperatively. The samples in each set of specimens were genetically matched by the process of DNA fingerprinting. Histological studies were done on the mucosa of donor and transplanted sites. RESULTS: The study demonstrated incompatibility between samples from recipient and transplanted site, and incompatibility between preoperative donor and recipient samples in all sets of specimens. CONCLUSION: The mucosa of donor trachea did not survive at the transplanted site. The apparently normal postoperative mucosal lining actually represents migration of the recipient mucosa. SIGNIFICANCE: The fate of transplanted donor tracheal mucosa is elucidated, and may substantially explain the mechanism of rejection resistance.

Secondary vaginal involvement following radical surgical treatment for a stage I ovarian adenocarcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal carcinoma represents 1-2% of all gynecologic malignancies. Most cases reported secondary involvement from adjacent organs including cervix, uterus, and colorectum. Vaginal involvement from adenocarcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma (MCT) has never been reported. CASE: A 29-year-old female presented with postcoital vaginal bleeding. She had had a history of right ovarian adenocarcinoma arising in MCT, FIGO stage IC, for 18 months' duration. Incisional biopsy of the vaginal lesion revealed adenocarcinoma, morphologically and immunohistologically identical to the right oophorectomized specimen. She received three courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy; however, she developed massive right pleural effusion with superior vena cava syndrome and finally succumbed to the disease, three months later. CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinoma is rarely found in MCT. This is the first case of ovarian adenocarcinoma arising in MCT with secondary vaginal involvement, presenting as postcoital vaginal bleeding.

Severe congenital nemaline myopathy with primary pulmonary lymphangiectasia: unusual clinical presentation and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Nemaline myopathy is a rare genetic muscle disorder defined by the presence of nemaline rods in the muscle fibre sarcoplasm. Congenital nemaline myopathy is the most serious form of the disease's spectrum. CASE PRESENTATION: The affected newborn has no spontaneous movement, fractures at birth and respiratory insufficiency. The present case was a Thai male, floppy at birth with fractures of both humeri and femurs and ventilator-dependent respiration. The patient developed bilateral chylothorax two weeks later and died at the age of 6 weeks. Whole-body postmortem examination with informed consent and genetic analysis of ACTA1 mutation were performed. A skeletal muscle biopsy examined by light and transmission electron microscopy showed the features of nemaline myopathy. ACTA 1 heterozygous missense mutation (c.1127G > C) was identified. Histological examination of both lungs revealed primary pulmonary lymphangiectasia. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, congenital nemaline myopathy with primary pulmonary lymphangiectasia causing bilateral chylothrax has never been previously reported. Considering chylothorax as a poor prognostic index and an unusual clinical presentation of severe congenital NM are proposed. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/9710506431489501 .

Small-dense LDL/large-buoyant LDL ratio associates with the metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Heterogeneous particles of intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) vary in atherogenesis. We investigated the association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) score and lipoprotein subclasses. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 260 outpatients were scored into six groups, based on their number of MetS components. Lipoprotein subclass determined by polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis separates IDL particles into three midbands (MID-A to C) and LDL into larger-buoyant (LDL1 and LDL2) and small-dense LDL (LDL3 to LDL6). RESULTS: Mean concentrations of VLDL, MIDC, LDL2, and LDL3 to LDL6 positively correlated with increasing MetS score, but those of MIDA, LDL1 and HDL-C inversely correlated. LDL2 and LDL3 to LDL6 increased while MIDA and LDL1 decreased with increasing visceral fat, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides, with a reverse pattern for HDL-C. MIDB and MIDC were unchanged. By logistic regression, LDL1 and LDL3 to LDL6 significantly associates with the MetS score (odds ratio=0.957 and 1.077, respectively). The ratio of (LDL3 to LDL6)/LDL1 in the presence of HDL-C, showed the strongest association with MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Respective subpopulations of IDL and LDL particles can vary in their ability to identify MetS. Because of the most strongly associated with MetS, (LDL3 to LDL6)/LDL1 ratio is proposed as an excellent marker for evaluating lipid metabolic status in patient with MetS.

Heterogeneous properties of intermediate- and low-density lipoprotein subpopulations.

OBJECTIVE: Intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) consist of heterogeneous particles whose subpopulations may have different atherogenic characteristics. This study investigated the associations between these subpopulations and other lipids, lipoproteins and atherosclerosis-related markers. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 416 subjects (124 males and 292 females, mean age: 50.8 years) were enrolled in this study. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, serum lipoproteins were separated according to their specific electrophoretic mobility based on particle size. The IDL particles were separated into three midbands (MID-A to C), and the LDL particles were separated into seven subfractions (LDL1 to 7). RESULTS: MID-B, MID-C, LDL2 and LDL3 to 6 (as a small LDL fraction) were significantly and positively correlated with very LDL (VLDL), while MID-A and LDL1 were significantly and inversely correlated with VLDL. MID-A and LDL1 were significantly and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The correlation patterns between MID-A or LDL1 and triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I, glucose, the insulin resistance index, creatinine and the mean LDL particle size had similar trends to those between HDL and these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The respective subpopulations of IDL and LDL particles can vary in their ability to predict cardiovascular disease risks. These variations may partially explain why quantitative assessments using LDL-cholesterol concentrations, as typically performed in conventional practice, are not perfect predictors of cardiovascular disease. Further studies are required to determine the clinical relevance of analyzing the IDL and LDL subpopulations.

Extraskeletal giant cell tumor of the larynx: case report and review of the literature.

Giant cell tumors of the larynx typically arise within the laryngeal skeleton. We report a case of a laryngeal tumor in a 29-year-old man that clearly originated outside the laryngeal cartilage. It was identified as a soft-tissue giant cell tumor. To the best of our knowledge, an extraskeletal laryngeal giant cell tumor has not been previously reported.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension after childhood cancer therapy and bone marrow transplantation.

According to the Third World Symposium on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), chemotherapy is considered to be one of the possible risk factors for patients developing PAH. However, to date, no literature has sufficiently addressed the risk, natural history, and effective treatment of this condition. We report our experience on how early diagnosis, detailed monitoring of disease course, and appropriate treatment application have led to a successful outcome of PAH management in childhood after cancer therapy. Our report reaffirmed the fact that PAH is now a recognized complication of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for leukemia. Combined pulmonary vasodilator treatment has a beneficial effect in improving the patient's condition and functional status as suggested by initial acute pulmonary vasodilator testing.

Prevalence and clinical predictors of endometrial hyperplasiain anovulatory women presenting with amenorrhea.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and clinical predictors of endometrial hyperplasia (EH) in amenorrheic women with anovulation. Fifty-seven women were enrolled in the study. Of these, 43 were diagnosed to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 14 to have idiopathic anovulation. All women received transvaginal sonography to assess endometrial thickness (ET), patterns and abnormalities. At the same time, an endometrial biopsy was taken using a Pipelle instrument. The women's age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were 32.0+/-6.0 years, 27.3+/-6.5 kg/m(2) and 0.82+/-0.06 (mean+/-standard deviation), respectively. Twenty (35.1%) and 19 (33.3%) women were classified as obese by BMI and WHR, respectively. Hypertension was found in 17 (29.8%) women. The prevalence of EH was 45.6%. Most cases were simple EH, and only one (1.75%) was simple EH with atypia. EH prevalence was 48.8% and 35.7% in PCOS and idiopathic anovulatory women, respectively. Age, BMI, WHR and ET did not predict EH, whereas the endometrial hyperechogenic pattern was a clinical predictor of EH with borderline significance. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that almost half of the anovulatory women with amenorrhea had EH and no significant predictor was found. In view of these findings, an endometrial biopsy should be performed in all women with this disorder.

Correlation of internal organ weight with body weight and length in normal Thai adults.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review forensic autopsy cases of a Thai population to show the relationship between the normal internal organ weight and body weight and body length. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study included 561 autopsies from Ramathibodi Hospital from August 2003 to June 2007. The subjects were from sudden unnatural death following criteria. The weighed organs included brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. RESULTS: The ages ranged from 15 to 89 years and there were 461 males and 100 females. The Mean were represented by males and females; 1330/1208, 302/259, 831/659, 1390/1211, 96/81, and 252/222 in brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys respectively CONCLUSION: Relationship was found between internal organs weight and body weight and body length of males whereas, in females the weight of internal organs except the kidneys was not related to body length.