© 2008 The Authors JEADV 2009, 23, 317–368 Journal compilation © 2008 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology autoimmune diseases, the direct involvement of an A-type retrovirus in the pathogenesis of a disease is still far from being confirmed or excluded. Our study, obtained from reproducible and specific immunoblot analyses, provided evidence that serum antibodies against HIAP proteins are present in a significantly high percentage of CIU patients. A slight, although non-significant prevalence was demonstrated in the ASST-positive group compared with the ASST-negative one. Such finding may be related to the slant pathogenic differences – very poorly characterized to date4 – between these two CIU subsets. Whether anti-HIAP antibodies play a pathogenic role at least in a subset of CIU patients, or represent a mere epiphenomenon,5 remains to be elucidated with further studies.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and VenereologyVolume 23, Issue 5 p. 597-599 Origin of poroid hidradenoma and pigmentation mechanism of eccrine poroma: critical analysis of an unique presentation H-H Chiu, H-H Chiu Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi; Departments of Dermatology andSearch for more papers by this authorP-H Chen, P-H Chen Dermatology and Dermatology andSearch for more papers by this authorC-Sh Wu, C-Sh Wu Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorG-S Chen, G-S Chen Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorK-B Tsai, K-B Tsai Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H Wen, C-H Wen Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorC-CE Lan, Corresponding Author C-CE Lan Dermatology and Dermatology and Dermatology and Correspondence: C-CE Lan. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author H-H Chiu, H-H Chiu Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi; Departments of Dermatology andSearch for more papers by this authorP-H Chen, P-H Chen Dermatology and Dermatology andSearch for more papers by this authorC-Sh Wu, C-Sh Wu Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorG-S Chen, G-S Chen Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorK-B Tsai, K-B Tsai Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H Wen, C-H Wen Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung; Departments ofSearch for more papers by this authorC-CE Lan, Corresponding Author C-CE Lan Dermatology and Dermatology and Dermatology and Correspondence: C-CE Lan. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 03 April 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02973.xCitations: 5 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02973.x Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume23, Issue5May 2009Pages 597-599 RelatedInformation

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and VenereologyVolume 23, Issue 9 p. 1108-1109 Paediatric molluscum folliculitis: a diagnosis to keep in mind H-H Chiu, H-H Chiu Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorP-H Chen, P-H Chen Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorC-S Wu, C-S Wu Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorG-S Chen, G-S Chen Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorK-B Tsai, K-B Tsai Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H Hung, C-H Hung Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorC-CE Lan, C-CE Lan Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this author H-H Chiu, H-H Chiu Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorP-H Chen, P-H Chen Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorC-S Wu, C-S Wu Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorG-S Chen, G-S Chen Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorK-B Tsai, K-B Tsai Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H Hung, C-H Hung Department of Dermatology, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this authorC-CE Lan, C-CE Lan Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Search for more papers by this author First published: 29 July 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03109.xCitations: 4 *Correspondence: C-CE Lan. E-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03109.x Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume23, Issue9September 2009Pages 1108-1109 RelatedInformation

Journal Article Dermal mucinosis with symptomatic intraneural mucin deposition: a new entity or reaction pattern? Get access S.C‐S. Hu, S.C‐S. Hu Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar G‐S. Chen, G‐S. Chen Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar K‐B. Tsai, K‐B. Tsai Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao‐Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J‐C. Chung, J‐C. Chung Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C‐C.E. Lan C‐C.E. Lan Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Correspondence: Cheng‐Che E. Lan. E‐mail: ec_lan@hotmail.com Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 160, Issue 1, 1 January 2009, Pages 200–202, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08871.x Published: 01 January 2009

CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (formerly known as blastic natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm with a poor prognosis. It is a recently described entity with a predilection for skin involvement.[1][1] Previously, the disease was thought to originate from NK cells

Vaginal leiomyoma, a rare tumor, is usually detectable on vaginal examination; however, its variable clinical presentation and broad differential diagnosis make preoperative diagnosis difficult1–4. Lesions may be asymptomatic or cause a combination of discomfort, pain, a sensation of prolapse and significant urinary tract symptoms2,3,5. A 46-year-old woman presented to our gynecological clinic with a non-tender mass, noted for about a year, which bulged from her vagina intermittently, especially when coughing, jumping or having bowel movements. The patient sometimes had hesitancy and difficulty in voiding, especially when her bladder was full or when the mass was repositioned. On pelvic examination, a mass that resembled a cystocele (anterior vaginal wall prolapse) was noted (Figure 1a). The mass was solid and could be moved manually without difficulty. No pus or other abnormal secretions arising from the urethra were noted and urinalysis and urodynamic findings were unremarkable. Perineal ultrasonography showed a welldefined solid tumor arising from the midline of the

Hepatic angiomyolipoma ( AML), a rare benign mesenchymal tumour, is characterised by the presence of mature adipose tissue, smooth- muscle cells and thick- walled blood vessels. Increasing attention to hepatic AMLs has led to the discovery that sufficient proportions of fat often allow for definite diagnoses preoperatively. However, the proportion of fatty tissue in these tumours is highly variable. One case of hepatic AML is reported, where the amount of fat was,1%. In this case, the viral hepatitis markers, including hepatitis B antigen and anti- hepatitis C virus antibody, were negative. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 3.4 ng/ ml and in the normal range. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic mass measuring 5 cm in diameter and without an obvious capsule in the left lobe of the liver. A dynamic computed tomography scan showed a well- defined and slightly enhanced mass in the medial segment of the left lobe of the liver. Angiography showed that the mass was hypervascular in character. As hepatocellular carcinoma was highly suspected from these preoperative image studies, a left lobectomy was carried out. Microscopically, the amount of fat was too low to establish a diagnosis of hepatic AML. However, positive homatropine methylbromide 45 immunoreactivity of the smooth- muscle cells seemed to assist in arriving at the diagnosis.

We present a case of polypoid sinusitis with maxillary sinus antrolith, which is composed of Aspergillus species. Unlike most muddy or necrotic fungal balls, this first reported fungal antrolith is solid and extremely hard. Aspergillus served as a central fungal nidus associated with long-standing sinusitis, and poor sinus drainage could be a possible pathophysiology for the formation of a sinus stone. Aspergillosis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a radiopaque paranasal sinus lesion. The endoscopic sinus surgery can be a reliable and minimally invasive method not only for the removal of the stone, but also for the restoration of ventilation and drainage of the diseased sinus.

Heterotopic salivary gland tissue (HSGT) in the lower neck is an unusual developmental anomaly with characteristic clinical and microscopic findings. The exact embryogenesis remains unclear. This rare entity must be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck mass with fistula. We present a typical HSGT totally removed using the stepladder excision technique and showing an internal fistula. Interpretating this case from the anatomical and pathological points of view, we support the argument that the embryogenesis of HSGT is more probably related to ectodermal heteroplasia of the precervical sinus of His and further conclude that an association with branchial cleft sinus may exist and cannot be seen as an exclusion criteria for diagnosis of HSGT. Due to possible but infrequent neoplastic transformation, it is important to check HSGT in every encountered cervical anomaly related to any branchial apparatus derived lesion.

British Journal of DermatologyVolume 152, Issue 5 p. 1070-1072 Pigmented eccrine poroma with enhanced endothelin-1 expression: implications for mechanism of hyperpigmentation C-C.E. Lan, C-C.E. Lan Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorH-S. Yu, H-S. Yu Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-S. Wu, C-S. Wu Faculty of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorK-B. Tsai, K-B. Tsai Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H. Wen, C-H. Wen Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorG-S. Chen, G-S. Chen Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this author C-C.E. Lan, C-C.E. Lan Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorH-S. Yu, H-S. Yu Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-S. Wu, C-S. Wu Faculty of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorK-B. Tsai, K-B. Tsai Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorC-H. Wen, C-H. Wen Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this authorG-S. Chen, G-S. Chen Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, no. 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, TaiwanSearch for more papers by this author First published: 28 April 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06560.xCitations: 15 Gwo-Shing Chen. E-mail: d700086@kmu.edu.tw Conflicts of interest: none declared. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume152, Issue5May 2005Pages 1070-1072 RelatedInformation

A 22-year-old woman had suffered from several episodes of acute pancreatitis since the age of 11. Other than exercise intolerance since early childhood, her psychomotor development was normal. At age 21, she experienced two episodes of generalized muscle weakness including acute respiratory failure and hepatomegaly. Liver biopsy indicated fatty metamorphosis, and muscle biopsy revealed vacuolar myopathy with lipid accumulation. Biochemical investigations demonstrated elevated serum creatine kinase and elevated 2-hydroxylglutaric, pyruvic, ethylmalonic, hippuric, adipic, and seburic acids in urinary organic acid analysis. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 11. Although acute pancreatitis in glutaric aciduria type 11 has been reported previously, this is the first reported case of recurrent pancreatitis occurring in glutaric aciduria type It. We treated the patient with L-carnitine and riboflavin. As of the latest follow-up 2.5 years later, the patient has had no further episodes of muscle weakness or pancreatitis. We suggested analyzing urine organic acid when lipid storage myopathy is suspected. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objectives. To explore the expression patterns and possible involvement of leptin and its receptor in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer, with a focus on transitional cell carcinoma.Methods. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques, we correlated the expression patterns of leptin and its receptor with the occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. We also applied transient transfection followed by BrdU labeling and immunofluorescent staining to address the effect of the leptin receptor on bladder cancer cell growth.Results. Although leptin was not detected in the bladder tissue specimens, a decreased expression of the leptin receptor was observed in most cancer tissue specimens we analyzed. Furthermore, the forced expression of the leptin receptor in T24 bladder cancer cells prevented them from entering the S phase. Conclusions. Our data demonstrated for the first time that the leptin receptor is aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer tissue and is possibly involved in the carcinogenesis of bladder cancer. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.

Spontaneous and complete regression of malignant neoplasms is extremely unusual. To our knowledge, this case report is the first description of spontaneous regression of an extranodal malignant lymphoma occurring in the conjunctiva and orbit. A 40-year-old woman noticed a pink conjunctival mass at the medial aspect of her left eye that had been present for 3 weeks. She presented on May 5, 2003. Ophthalmologic examination showed a salmon-colored mass along the lateral side of the caruncle. CT revealed a mass in the medial orbit. Surgical biopsy exhibited a malignant lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type. After biopsy, the tumor spontaneously decreased in size and completely disappeared in 5 weeks. At 6 months' follow-up, the tumor had not recurred.

PURPOSE:To determine if in vivo detection of choline by using hydrogen 1 (1H) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy with dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging can help differentiate between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.MATERIALS AND METHODS:MR imaging was performed in 36 consecutive patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors larger than 1.5 cm in diameter. Examinations were performed at 1.5 T with a surface coil appropriate for the location of the lesions. Single-voxel 1H MR spectroscopy was performed by using a point-resolved spectroscopic sequence with echo times of 40, 135, and 270 msec. The volume of interest within lesions was positioned on the areas of early enhancement (<8 seconds after arterial enhancement) according to the findings of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging with subtraction. The criterion for determining whether choline was present in a lesion was a clearly identifiable peak at 3.2 ppm in at least two of the three spectra acquired at echo times. MR spectroscopic results and histopathologic findings were determined in blinded fashion and compared with kappa statistics. P <.001 was considered to indicate a significant difference.RESULTS:Choline was detected in 18 of 19 patients with malignant tumors and in three of 17 patients with benign lesions. The three benign lesions included one perineurioma, one giant cell tumor, and one abscess. Choline was not detected in 14 patients with benign lesions nor in one patient with a densely ossifying low-grade parosteal osteosarcoma. In vivo 1H MR spectroscopy characterized bone and soft-tissue tumors, resulting in a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 82%, and accuracy of 89% (P <.001).CONCLUSION:Choline can be reliably detected in large malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors by using a multiecho point-resolved spectroscopic protocol. 1H MR spectroscopy can help differentiate malignant from benign musculoskeletal tumors by revealing the presence or absence of water-soluble choline metabolites.

Objectives: Pseudocyst of the auricle is characterized by asymptomatic swelling caused by an intracartilaginous accumulation of fluid. If left untreated, permanent deformity of the pinna may occur. Many modalities of treatment have been reported, but problems regarding recurrence and appearance remain. The purpose of this study was to introduce more reliable treatment for pseudocyst of the auricle.Design: Retrospective chart review.Setting: Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.Methods: The population used for the present report consisted of 10 patients with auricular pseudocyst that was unresponsive to aspiration followed by intralesional steroid injection or who declined conservative treatment. All patients were treated surgically with the deroofing method under local anaesthesia.Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative clinical outcome and recurrence of the lesion.Results: All patients had excellent cosmetic outcomes, and no recurrence or complication occurred.Conclusions: Deroofing surgery for pseudocyst of the auricle is a safe, easy, and reliable procedure. If conservative measures fail or are declined by the patient, removal of the anterior cartilaginous leaflet of the lesion is an alternative method that can yield excellent results.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of a new lipophilic paramagnetic complex [Gd(Bz-TFDA)](2-) [(4s)-4-benzyl-3,6,10-tri(carboxymethyl)-3,6,10-triazadodecandioic acid](2-) designed for use as a hepatobiliary MR contrast agent.Materials and Methods: MR imaging studies for normal and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rat models were performed using a 1.5-T scanner. Sequential multislice T1-weighted turbo field echo (TFE) (TR/TE/flip angle: 15 msec/6.1 msec/25degrees) coronal images of normal rats were obtained before and after intravenous injections of 0.1 mmol/kg [Gd(Bz-TFDA)](2-) in study groups (N = 12) or 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA)(2-) in control groups (N = 12). Similar protocols of MR imaging with additional T2-weighted images were used for the rats with implanted HCC in both study and control groups (N = 12, in each group). MR images were analyzed to evaluate the time-enhancement change (% increase of signal-to-noise ratio [SI/N]) in normal liver, renal cortex, renal medulla, and tumors. The liver-lesion contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were also evaluated in study and control groups. The rats were killed immediately after the last MR scan to undergo autopsy and histopathologic observation. The acute toxicity test (medial lethal dose, LD50) in mice was also done.Results: The liver enhancement in normal rats reached a plateau 5-50 minutes after injection of [Gd(Bz-TrDA)](2-), maintained for three hours, then gradually declined. Intensity of enhancement in liver, renal cortex, and medulla after injection of [Gd(Bz-TTDA)](2-) was significantly higher than with Gd-DTPA. The efficacy of tumor characterization with injection of [Gd(Bz-TFDA)](2-) was similar to that of Gd-DTPA at the early dynamic phase of the contrast study. However, the liver-lesion CNRs were significantly higher in the study group in the later phase, when tumor enhancement decreased and liver enhancement persisted. The dose of LD50 in acute toxicity test of [Gd(Bz-TFDA)](2-) in mice was 7.5 mmol/kg.Conclusion: The preliminary results in this animal study indicated that [Gd(Bz-TrDA)](2-) has the potential of becoming a reliable liver MR contrast agent.

OBJECTIVE:Leptin and its receptor are the key players in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control. However, their roles in gynecological malignancies are mostly unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression and possible involvement of leptin and the leptin receptor in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer.METHODS:Radioimmunoassay was performed to analyze the serum leptin levels in the endometrial cancer patients, while RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques were applied to study the expression of leptin receptor in the endometrioid-type endometrial cancer tissues. Furthermore, BrdU labeling followed by immunofluorescent analysis was used to analyze the effect of leptin receptor overexpression on endometrial cancer cell proliferation.RESULTS:Serum leptin levels are elevated in endometrial cancer patients, but show no significant difference to those of normal controls when normalized by body mass index. On the other hand, lower expression levels of leptin receptor short form (Ob-Ra) were observed in most endometrial cancer tissues, especially in the poorly differentiated ones, and the forced expression of Ob-Ra in RL95-2 endometrial cancer cells prevented them from entering the S-phase.CONCLUSION:In summary, our data demonstrates for the first time that the leptin receptor is aberrantly expressed in endometrial cancer tissues and is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer.