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Background Diagnostic delay in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was frequent and may be associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model for early diagnosis of IBD. Methods From March 2020 to January 2022, a 15-item Red Flags questionnaire was administered to all patients who visited outpatient clinic with gastrointestinal symptoms suspected of IBD. All patients underwent additional diagnostic tests to confirm IBD. We estimated a model that could predict the early diagnosis of IBD using questionnaire and laboratory test results. Results A total of 186 patients were enrolled in this study and 114 (61.2%) patients were finally confirmed with IBD. The logistic regression identified 4-item independently associated with a diagnosis of IBD. 1) Perianal fistula/abscess or perianal lesions (apart from hemorrhoids) (OR, 2.6; p=0.044). 2) Chronic abdominal pain/discomfort (>3 months) (OR, 0.3; p=0.013). 3) Rectal bleeding (OR, 7.4; p Conclusion The predictive model for early diagnosis of IBD has a high predictive value. The model allows for early detection of IBD from non-IBD patients.

Background Blautia is a genus of anaerobic bacteria known as having probiotic properties in several studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Blautia obeum in inflammatory bowel disease which has not yet been elucidated. Methods To assess the role of B. obeum, 7 weeks-old C57BL/6 mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days with or without oral administration of B. obeum simultaneously in the first experiment. Comparing with negative (only phosphate buffered saline) and positive (without intake of microbiome) controls, prior daily administration of B. obeum (day 0 to 7) and subsequent administration of DSS (day 7 to 15) were done in the second experiment. Body weight was evaluated daily in those acute colitis models. Macroscopic analysis and histological evaluation for inflammatory activity were evaluated after sacrifice. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the colonic lamina propria mononuclear cells were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Fecal samples were collected from all subjects during experiments, and the influences on gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing. Results B. obeum aggravated colitis assessed by body weight loss. Histologic severity was higher in mice treated with B. obeum than in controls. IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were increased in mice treated with B. obeum, compared with controls. A significantly lower richness (P Conclusion B. obeum aggravates colitis in mice. B. obeum can be an organism that is associated with the pathogenesis in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with an increased risk of migraine in a nationwide cohort sample analysis, but there is no evidence on the impact of migraine on the development of IBD The aim of this study was to determine the association between migraine and the development of IBD. Methods This nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. A total of 10,628,070 people aged 20 years or older who had undergone a national health examination conducted by the NHIS in 2009 were followed up until 2017. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of migraine. We analyzed the incidence of newly developed IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD), or ulcerative colitis (UC) during the follow-up period. Results The incidence of IBD was significantly higher in patients with migraine (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] with 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31 [1.173–1.468], p Conclusion Migraine is significantly associated with the development of IBD. Patients with migraine would be monitored carefully for the development of IBD.

Background There are a few studies about the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atopic dermatitis (AD). It implicates that both diseases have common pathophysiologic mechanism and are able to affect each other. However, little information is available for the effect of AD on the clinical course of patients with IBD. Methods This is a retrospective, observational case-control study. Patients with concurrent IBD and AD were defined as case group and those with IBD only as control group. Diagnosis of AD was defined as chronic eczematoid dermatosis diagnosed by dermatologists. Age-, gender-, and IBD subtype-matched patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD were included as control group. The ratio of the case and control group was set as, 1:2. Trend in the duration from diagnosis of IBD to first use of biologics, first IBD-related operation and first IBD-related bowel resection were estimated with Cox regression analysis. Results The numbers of patients in the case and control group were, 31 and, 62, respectively. Compared with the control group, the case group showed an earlier disease onset (unit: years, 22.13 ±, 10.66 vs., 17.68 ±, 8.07, p = 0.043) and longer disease duration of IBD (unit: months, 98.37 ±, 69.24 vs., 150.77 ±, 83.45, p = 0.002). In addition, the proportion of biologics use (35% vs., 61%, p = 0.018) and the total numbers of biologics usages (0.48 ±, 0.76 vs., 1.06 ±, 1.12, p = 0.013) were higher in patients in the case group than those in the control group. In the Cox-regression analysis, there was a significant decrease of the duration for the biologics free survival in the case group compared with the control one after the adjustment with age, IBD subtype, onset age and disease duration (p < 0.001). Conclusion Patients having concurrent IBD and AD exhibited different characteristics compared with those having IBD only, particularly in terms of disease onset and severity. Furthermore, AD showed an significant effect on the time for the initiation of biologics. Further research is required to elucidate the common pathogenesis and the role of AD on the clinical course of IBD.

Background Icariin is a natural flavonoid glucoside from plants in Epimedium family, known to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigated the effects of Icariin on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB) signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and macrophages, and in acute and chronic murine colitis models. Methods Human IEC line COLO 205 and murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 were pretreated with Icariin and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide respectively for in vitro studies. The expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR (TNF- α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-10), and the effect of Icariin on NF-ĸB signaling pathway was examined by immunoblot analysis to detect IĸBα phosphorylation and degradation. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in C57BL/6 wild-type mice and chronic colitis in IL-10-/- mice were treated with or without Icariin for in vivo studies. The severity of colitis was evaluated by daily body weight change, colon length, and colonic tissue histopathology. Results Icariin significantly attenuated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and degeneration of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and alleviated IĸBα phosphorylation and degradation in both IEC and murine macrophages stimulated by TNF-α and LPS, respectively. Icariin also significantly reduced the severity of colitis in both DSS-induced acute colitis model and chronic colitis in IL-10-/- mice models. Conclusion Icariin inhibits NF-ĸB signaling in both IECs and macrophages, and attenuates experimental murine colitis. These results suggest that Icariin may be a potential novel therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background In comparison with the general population, patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are at higher risk of developing small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA). However, with low prevalence of SBA, data regarding the impact of CD on survival are lacking. We investigated the impact of CD on survival in patients with SBA. Methods From January 1998 through July 2021, patients with histologically confirmed SBA were retrospectively collected and classified into binary, namely, sporadic SBA and CD-associated SBA groups. Patients with duodenal SBA were excluded. The overall survival (OS) and factors associated with survival were analysed. Results Of 127 patients with SBA, 115 patients were sporadic SBA and 12 were CD-associated SBA (Table 1). Compared to patients with sporadic SBA, poorly differentiated tumour was more common among patients with CD-associated SBA (41.7 vs. 14.8%, p=0.030). Other baseline demographic characteristics including age at the diagnosis of SBA, sex, Charlson morbidity score more than 2 points, smoking history, family history of cancer, location of SBA, initial stage based on American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, and treatment showed no significant difference. In survival analyses, the 1-year (yr), 2-yr, and 5-yr OS were lower in patients with CD-associated SBA, without statistical significance (1-yr OS; 81.8 vs. 90.5%, 2-yr OS; 61.4 vs. 81.7, 5-yr OS; 61.4 vs. 69.1%, p=0.590) (Fig 1). Factors associated with decreased survival were disease stage (AJCC stage IV) (hazard ratio [HR] 5.485; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.442–12.279, p Conclusion The OS of patients with CD-associated SBA was not significantly lower than that of patients with sporadic SBA. The independent risk factors for survival were the stage of SBA and type of treatment, not Crohn’s disease.

Background Endocrine therapy (E) has a major role in treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, in contrast to western countries, premenopausal patients (PRE) more prevalent (50% of all breast cancer patients) and have less options of E than postmenopausal patients (POST) in Korea where the use of LHRH agonist in combination aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in PRE is restricted. Recently we have been successfully established nationwide cohort for the patients MBC (575 patients from 26 institutes). This study was designed to evaluate the role of E especially in PRE. Methods The patients with MBC were prospectively or retrospectively enrolled between September 2014 and May 2015. Only menopausal status-confirmed patients (296) were analyzed. Postmenopause was defined, based on NCCN guideline. Total duration of treatment was defined as the time from start day of any first treatment to end of any last treatment. Total duration of E was defined as the sum of time duration of each E. Overall survival was calculated from the start day of any treatment for MBC to any causes of death. This work is supported by National Strategic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (H110C2020). Results A total of 296 patients with HR-positive MBC were analyzed [PRE, 169 (57.1%) and POST, 127 (42.9%)]. Except age (mean 44 and 60 years), baseline characteristics including in pathology, HER2 status, initial pathologic stage, de novo metastasis versus recurrence, surgery and adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and radiotherapy) were well balanced. 92 (54.4%) of PRE and 77 (60.6%) of POST received at least one or more E through all treatment course. 41 (24.2%) of PRE and 44 (34.6%) received E as 1st-line treatment (p=0.034). Among PRE who received 1st-line of E, 30 (71.4%) and 9 (21.4%) of PRE received 2nd- and 3rd-line E. 20 (45.4%) and 10 (22.7%) of POST received 2nd- and 3rd- or more line of E. Most of PRE (54%) received tamoxifen+/-goserelin and 32% of PRE received AIs along with ovarian suppression. 71% of POST received AIs. As initial treatment, E was more frequently used in POST than in PRE (34.6% and 24.3%, p=0.053). Overall survival (OS) of all patients was 18.2 months (95% CI, 14.8-21.5). There was no difference in OS between PRE (17.8 months, 10.9-24.8) and POST (18.5 months, 95% CI, 13.2-23.9) (P=0.337). No difference of OS was observed (E, 18.1 moths, 95% CI, 13.0-23.3; chemotherapy 21.2 moths, 95% CI, 16.8-25.5), regardless of initial treatment. Total duration of treatment of PRE and POST were 15.2 and 13.6 months, respectively with no significant difference (p=0.389). PRE (8.3 moths, 95% CI,5.7-10.8) showed the trend toward longer duration of E in comparison with POST (5.5 moths, 95% CI,4.4-6.7), however the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.051). Conclusion E was more commonly used as 1st-line therapy in POST than in PRE. Although PRE had limited options of E, E was used in long duration of treatment especially in PRE. These findings suggested that E had a role in treatment for PRE with HR-positive MBC and could be used in treatment for PRE with good efficacy. Citation Format: Kim T-Y, Ahn J-H, Yoon JH, Sohn JH, Kim GM, Lee KH, Park YH, Koh S-J, Lee SE, Chae Y, Lee KS, Lee KE, Won HS, Kim JH, Jeong J, Park KH, Cho EK, Im Y-H, Im S-A, Jung KH. Role of endocrine therapy in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, compared with postmenopausal patients: Diachronic analyses from nationwide cohort in Korea (KCSG BR 14-07). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-09.

Background Recently, many clinical trials (TRIAL) especially incorporated with molecular-targeted agents are being conducted in treatment for breast cancer worldwide. However, the relation of participating clinical trials with survival has not been actively studied. This study was designed to evaluate whether participation in clinical trials could improve overall survival (OS) or not in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), compared with conventional treatment. Method Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) has successfully established Nationwide Cohort in KOREA to conduct diachronic analysis (KCSG BR 14-07). Clinical data for patients with MBC were collected from this Cohort. OS was defined as the time duration from first diagnosis of metastasis to any cause of death. This work is supported by National Strategic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (H110C2020). Results A total of 575 patients with metastatic breast from 26 institutes in KOREA cancer MBC were consequently enrolled between September 2014 and May 2015. 156 (27.1%) of patients were enrolled to at least one or more clinical trials and 419 patients received only conventional treatment (CONV). Age, hormone status, HER2 status, initial pathologic stage, metastasis versus recurrence, adjuvant treatment, ECOG performance status (PS) (0, 1 vs 2 or more) were similar between TRIAL and CONV. 30% of trials were associated with HER2-targeted agents. As initial treatment, chemotherapy was more frequently used in TRIAL (85.9%) than in CONV (79.0%) (P=0.038). Number of regimens of chemotherapy was greater in TRIAL (2.9+/-1.8) than CONV (2.1+/-1.6) (P Conclusion Participating in clinical trials could be associated with prolongation of survival. This results constantly maintained in HER2-positive and triple-negative MBC. These findings suggested that clinical trials are useful for the patients with MBC, even if the patients do not complete the standard treatment. Citation Format: Kim T-Y, Sohn JH, Kim S-B, Yoon JH, Kim GM, Lee KH, Koh S-J, Park YH, Lee SE, Chae Y, Lee KS, Lee KE, Won HS, Kim JH, Jeong J, Park KH, Cho EK, Im Y-H, Im S-A, Jung KH. Does participation in clinical trials influence on survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer?. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-10-03.

Background The number of long-term cancer survivors has increased substantially over past decades. However, there is insufficient understanding of the symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after cancer treatment, and there is no adequate education program for cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the improvement of knowledge and QoL through education among breast cancer survivors. Methods We prospectively recruited 100 breast cancer survivors – the education cohort (EC) – who received the educational program. Breast cancer survivors who visited the survivor clinic during the same period were retrospectively enrolled as control cohort (CC) (n = 40). EC was pretested for knowledge on breast cancer survivorship and a trained nurse conducted a 30-minute individual education program which was based on ASCO survivorship guideline, with post-test knowledge assessment to measure changes in this aspect. For measure QoL change, we conducted QoL survey at the time enrollment and six months later in both groups. Results For EC, participants’ mean age was 52.7 years, 86% were married, and 75% were high school or college graduates. Further, 78% were employed and over 94% said the economy was in the middle or better. The correct answer rate during pre-test ranged from 28% to 97%, showing an improvement from 96% to 100% in post-test, immediately after education. While there was no statistically significant difference among the CC, EC showed significant improvement on anxiety (mean [SD] 4.63 [3.58] → 3.66 [3.51]; p = 0.025) and depression (5.60 [3.39] → 4.11 [3.30]; p Table . 421O CC EC Mean±SD p-value Mean±SD p-value Pre Post Pre Post HADS anxiety 4.98±3.96 3.80±3.00 0.056 4.63±3.58 3.66±3.51 0.025 HADS depression 4.78±3.83 3.98±2.57 0.185 5.60±3.39 4.11±3.30 Conclusions We found education effective in reducing anxiety and depression as well as physical and functional well-being in breast cancer survivors. However, we failed to demonstrate significant intervention effects in lifestyle change. In order to elicit lifestyle changes, more active intervention is needed along with education. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Premenopausal women with MBC have a distinct tumor biology, and more aggressive behavior. In the BOLERO-2 trial, adding EVE to exemestane (EXE) significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared with EXE alone in postmenopausal women with recurrent/metastatic HR+, HER2– breast cancer. LEO is the first randomized phase II trial investigating the effect of adding EVE to LET in ovarian suppressed premenopausal women with MBC. Methods Patients (pts) with progression or prior exposed to tamoxifen with or without GnRH agonist, either sequentially or concurrently, in adjuvant or metastatic setting were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive LEUP+LET+EVE (arm A) or LEUP+LET (arm B) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Randomization was stratified by the presence of visceral metastases and sensitivity to endocrine therapy. The primary end point was PFS. Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety. Results Between January 2014 and October 2018, 137 pts were enrolled in this study. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The median age was 44 years (range 24-54), 74.5% had endocrine-sensitive disease, and 60.6% had visceral metastasis. At a median follow-up of 32.4 months, the median PFS was 18.1 months in arm A and 13.8 months in arm B, respectively (HR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.11; P = 0.137), and predominant in pts with visceral metastases (16.4 vs. 9.5 Mo) (HR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.99; p = 0.048). The median OS was not reached in both arms. ORR was 46.9% and 28.2% in arms A and B, respectively (P = 0.051). The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (9.8% in arm A vs. 0% in arm B), AST elevation (5.4% vs. 0%), enterocolitis (4.3% vs. 0%), and anemia (3.3% vs. 0%), without grade 3/4 stomatitis in both arms. Five pts discontinued treatment (1 AKI, 1 pneumonitis, 1 liver dysfunction, 2 unknown) but no treatment related death. Conclusions Adding EVE to LET demonstrated numerically improved PFS (D 4.3 Mo, median PFS), higher ORR. Significant improved PFS was noted in patients with visceral metastases. Clinical trial identification NCT02344550. Legal entity responsible for the study Sung-Bae Kim. Funding Novartis, Dongkook Pharma Co. Ltd. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Recently, palbociclib plus exemestane with GnRH agonist demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared with that of the capecitabine for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (median PFS 20·1 vs. 14·4 months, p = 0·0235 ; HR 0·659 [95% C.I. 0·437–0·994])(Park YH et al, J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 [suppl; abstr 1007]). We evaluated PROs in YoungPEARL phase ll trial. Methods Pts (N = 189) were randomized 1:1 to receive palbociclib plus exemestane with GnRH agonist or capecitabine. PROs were assessed at day 1 (baseline), every 6 weeks, and at the end of treatment, using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-30). Repeated-measures mixed-effect analyses were carried out to compare on-treatment overall scores and changes from baseline between the treatment groups while controlling for baseline. Results Questionnaire completion rates were 100% at baseline and during treatment from baseline to 84 weeks in each group. Global health status/QoL scores were maintained from baseline to the end of treatment across all time points within each cohort. Between-treatment comparison in the change from baseline functioning scale scores showed trends favoring palbociclib arm for physical functioning (0.12 vs -3.66, p = 0.1201) while favoring capecitabine arm for emotional (0.87 vs 2.61, p = 0.5963) and social functioning (2.63 vs 5.97, p = 0.3234). There was a trend to improve appetite loss (-5.27 vs 0.72, p = 0.1484) and insomnia tended to get worse (3.81 vs -2.65, p = 0.0736) in palbociclib arm while capecitabine arm showed the greater improvement in pain (-2.80 vs -5.83, p = 0.3200) but worsening in diarrhea (1.17 vs 7.37, p = 0.0598) without statistical significance. Conclusions These findings show that palbociclib plus endocrine therapy maintained high PRO scores with some different function and symptom profiles compared with capecitabine arm. Clinical trial identification NCT02592746. Legal entity responsible for the study Korea Cancer Study Group. Funding Pfizer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Although outbreaks of Mycobacterium abscessus infection have been reported, none of these reports has identified the potential sources of infection and modes of transmission. In April 2008, we identified and investigated an outbreak of M. abscessus skin and soft tissue infections following acupuncture among the patients who visited an oriental medical clinic. Active surveillance of patients who had visited the clinic was conducted to define the extent of the outbreak. Environmental cultures and a case–control study were performed to elucidate the source of infection and mode of transmission. From 1002 patients interviewed, 109 patients were identified as having suffered M. abscessus skin and soft tissue infections at acupuncture sites. A single strain of M. abscessus was isolated from the wounds of 31 patients and nine environmental samples, including a diluted glutaraldehyde solution. The case–control study revealed that a higher numbers of visits to the clinic for acupuncture (adjusted OR (aOR) 20.12; 95% CI 4.34–93.35) and the use of interferential current therapy or low-frequency therapy (aOR 36.12; 95% CI 5.54–235.44) were associated with the development of M. abscessus infection. The contaminated diluted glutaraldehyde solution that was used to disinfect the physical therapy devices may have been the source of the outbreak of M. abscessus infection in the 109 patients who underwent acupuncture.

A novel micro magnetic sensor called the Current Driven Magnetic Permeability Interference (CDMPI) sensor has been developed and the key parameters of the sensor have been studied. The sensor consists of a sensing element in a form of composite wire of a 20 pm copper core electrodeposited with a thin layer of soft magnetic material (Ni 80 Fe 20 ), an ac power source driving the permeability of the magnetic coating layer of the sensing element into a dynamic state, and a signal pickup LC circuit formed by a pickup coil and an capacitor. Experimental studies on the CDMPI sensor have been carried out to investigate the key parameteres in relation to the sensor sensitivity and resolution. The results showed that for high sensitivity and resolution, the frequency and magnitude of the ac driving current through the sensing element each has an optimum value, the resonance frequency of the signal pickup LC circuit should be equal to or twice as the driving frequency on the sensing element, and the anisotropy of the magnetic coating layer of the sensing wire element should be longitudinal.

Classical force-field simulations were used to study the tensile shock-induced response of metallic nanorods. The nanorods were found to amorphize at strain-rate amorphization limits of 1.6% ps(-1) for a 4.0-nm-diameter platinum (Pt) nanorod and 1.2% ps(-1) for a 4.0-nm-diameter gold (Au) nanorod, with a length-to-diameter ratio of 3. Highly localized necking was observed at mid-depth of the nanorods at about 2.0% ps(-1). As the strain rates were increased further, the neck bifurcated away from the mid-depth toward the nanorod ends, resulting in multiple necks at 4.0% ps(-1) and 3.0% ps(-1) for Pt and Au, respectively. At strain rates of above 6.0% ps(-1), end delamination took place. The longitudinal wave propagation equation was adequate to explain and predict the location of the appearance of necks along the nanorod.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) causes dramatic vasoconstriction and reduction of renal blood flow, with a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Early diabetic nephropathy is characterized by elevation of GFR and the formation of intrarenal microaneurysms. However, the mechanisms are unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiologic significance of urinary ET-1 in early diabetic nephropathy, the 24-h urinary excretion of ET-1 in 12 normal subjects and 20 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were determined by a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay. The 24-h urinary ET-1 excretion in patients with diabetes mellitus (14.2 +/- 3.1 pmol, mean +/- SEM) was significantly lower (p0.05) than that of normal subjects (25.0 +/- 3.7 pmol). This decrease in urinary excretion of ET-1 in patients with recent-onset diabetes mellitus suggests a possible role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of early diabetic nephropathy.

SRPX2 (Sushi repeat-containing protein, X-linked 2) has recently emerged as a multifunctional protein that is involved in seizure disorders, angiogenesis and cellular adhesion. Here, we analyzed this protein biochemically. SRPX2 protein was secreted with a highly post-translational modification. Chondroitinase ABC treatment completely decreased the molecular mass of purified SRPX2 protein to its predicted size, whereas heparitinase, keratanase and hyaluroinidase did not. Secreted SRPX2 protein was also detected using an anti-chondroitin sulfate antibody. These results indicate that SRPX2 is a novel chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG). Furthermore, a binding assay revealed that hepatocyte growth factor dose-dependently binds to SRPX2 protein, and a ligand–glycosaminoglycans interaction was speculated to be likely in proteoglycans. Regarding its molecular architecture, SRPX2 has sushi repeat modules similar to four other CSPGs/lecticans; however, the molecular architecture of SRPX2 seems to be quite different from that of the lecticans. Taken together, we found that SRPX2 is a novel CSPG that is overexpressed in gastrointestinal cancer cells. Our findings provide key glycobiological insight into SRPX2 in cancer cells and demonstrate that SRPX2 is a new member of the cancer-related proteoglycan family.

10095 Background: Endostatin is an antiangiogenic fragment of collagen XVIII and is generated by tumor-derived proteases. The functional activity of circulating endostatin is currently unknown. This is the first report on serum endostatin in gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 111 patients with gastric cancer (52 metastatic patients and 59 patients undergoing gastrectomy without distant metastasis) were included in the study. Forty eight of 52 (92%) metastatic patients received systemic chemotherapy. Pretherapeutic serum levels of endostatin and VEGF were measured using an ELISA and compared with the levels in 30 healthy controls. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA to compare means between groups, and using Spearman rank correlation to assess correlations between clinicopathologic factors and serum endostatin and VEGF levels. Survival curves were analyzed and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: Mean serum endostatin and VEGF levels were higher in gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls (endostatin, 69.8 ± 16.3 vs. 52.8 ± 6.0 ng/ml [P No significant financial relationships to disclose.

18627 Background: One of the most important role of a end-of-life care is to control physical symptoms of patients and help them to face comfortable end. In terminally ill cancer patients, accurate prediction of survival is necessary for clinical and ethical reasons, especially in helping to avoid harm, discomfort and inappropriate therapies and in planning specific care strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate prognostic factor of death for the patients with terminal cancer. Methods: We enrolled 121 patients with the terminal cancer of Kangnam St. Mary’s Hospital from September 2004 until their death. We observed symptoms shown in dying patients and assess 17 common symptoms shown in terminally ill cancer patients, performance status, pain and analgesic use. The common symptoms were measured in a score of 0-none, 1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe or 4-severe by objective criteria. Results: Mean period from enrollment to death was 34.7days. The most important prognostic factor is performance status (KPS), average KPS at enrollment is 52.2% and at last 48hours is 29.8%. Physical symptoms that have significant prognostic importance are weakness, anorexia, dry mouth, dysphagia, dyspnea. VAS and analgesic use dose not impact on the prognosis. But cognitive impairment and delirium are the reliable prognostic factor. Especially weakness, dry mouth, poor oral intake, drowsiness, edema, dyspnea, ascites, icterua gradually worsened with significance. Dying patients showed markedly decreased blood pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration frequently at 48hours before death. Conclusions: Terminally ill cancer patients have various prognostic factor and the most important factor is performance status. The death predictive symptoms such as markedly decreased pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration appeared at last 48hours. If we assess the symptoms more carefully, we can predict the more accurate prognosis. The communication about the prognostic information will influence the personal therapeutic decision and specific care planning. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

8162 Background: As the education on palliative & end-of-life care for physicians and the opportunity of clinical practice to treat terminally ill cancer patients is very insufficient. Methods: Fro...

A 19-month-old girl had a congenital aneurysm of the neck vein. We attribute the pathogenesis of venous aneurysm to a defective vascular wall. The treatment of choice is simple surgical excision.

Antisera against myosin of human normal skeletal muscle and against rhabdomyoblasts of autopsy-proved rhabdomyosarcoma were raised in white rabbits, purified, and assessed for their usefulness in the diagnosis of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. The specificity of the antisera was tested by both immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods in seven cases of autopsy-proved rhabdomyosarcoma, five of malignant lymphoma, three of neuroblastoma, and two of Ewing's sarcoma. Antimyosin serum tested positive for all cases of rhabdomyosarcoma and negative for other types of tumor. Antirhabdomyoblast serum was positive in all cases of rhabdomyosarcoma and cross-reacted with cases of neuroblastoma and Ewing's tumor, although the intensity of staining was much decreased. Our results indicate that antimyosin serum is specific for childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and can be used to differentiate this from other childhood "round cell" tumors.