Primary hepatic lymphoma mimicking acute hepatitis

No abstract available.

Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells: a platform for human disease modeling and drug discovery

The generation of disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from patients with incurable diseases is a promising approach for studying disease mechanisms and drug screening. Such innovation enables to obtain autologous cell sources in regenerative medicine. Herein, we report the generation and characterization of iPSCs from fibroblasts of patients with sporadic or familial diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), juvenile-onset, type I diabetes mellitus (JDM), and Duchenne type muscular dystrophy (DMD), as well as from normal human fibroblasts (WT). As an example to modeling disease using disease-specific iPSCs, we also discuss the previously established childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD)- and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)-iPSCs by our group. Through DNA fingerprinting analysis, the origins of generated disease-specific iPSC lines were identified. Each iPSC line exhibited an intense alkaline phosphatase activity, expression of pluripotent markers, and the potential to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers: the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. Expression of endogenous pluripotent markers and downregulation of retrovirus-delivered transgenes [OCT4 (POU5F1), SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC] were observed in the generated iPSCs. Collectively, our results demonstrated that disease-specific iPSC lines characteristically resembled hESC lines. Furthermore, we were able to differentiate PD-iPSCs, one of the disease-specific-iPSC lines we generated, into dopaminergic (DA) neurons, the cell type mostly affected by PD. These PD-specific DA neurons along with other examples of cell models derived from disease-specific iPSCs would provide a powerful platform for examining the pathophysiology of relevant diseases at the cellular and molecular levels and for developing new drugs and therapeutic regimens.

Delayed Cranial Nerve Palsy after Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a safe and effective treatment with favorable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of delayed cranirve ( VI, VII, and VIII ) palsy following MVD and its clinical courses. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2009, 1354 patients underwent MVD for HFS at our institution. Of them, 100 patients (7.4%) experienced delayed facial palsy (DFP), one developed sixth nerve palsy, and one patient had delayed hearing loss. RESULTS: DFP occurred between postoperative day number 2 and 23 (average 11 days). Ninety-two patients (92%) completely recovered; however, House-Brackmann grade II facial weakness remained in eight other patients (8%). The time to recovery averaged 64 days (range, 16 days to 9 months). Delayed isolated sixth nerve palsy recovered spontaneously without any medical or surgical treatment after 8 weeks, while delayed hearing loss did not improve. CONCLUSION: Delayed cranial nerve (VI, VII, and VIII) palsies can occur following uncomplicated MVD for HFS. DFP is not an unusual complication after MVD, and prognosis is fairly good. Delayed sixth nerve palsy and delayed hearing loss are extremely rare complications after MVD for HFS. We should consider the possibility of development of these complications during the follow up for MVD.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Rabies in South Korea from January 2004 to March 2011

Over the seven years from January 2004 to March 2011, 105 rabies cases in three different animal species and one case in human were recorded in South Korea. Forty three (40.6%) cattle and 33 (31.1%) dogs, 29 (27.4%) raccoon dogs were affected and one (0.9%) death in human was reported. The highest annual incidence of rabies was recorded with 27 cases in 2004, and then decreased to a median of 14 cases per year. Eighty cases (76.2%) occurred in Gangwon and 24 cases (22.9%) in Gyeonggi and one case in Seoul Province. All rabies cases occurred in the northern part of the country, namely, Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces. Since 2007, rabies cases were not reported in Gyeonggi Province, but continued to occur and move eastward in Gangwon Province. The monthly distribution of animal rabies during the seven year period peaked in January, and the incidence was the highest during winter, from December to February, and the least common in summer, from June to September. The epidemiological study indicated that preventive measures including distribution of bait vaccine for the control of rabies in wild animals was helpful to a substantial decrease in number of rabies cases in South Korea.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Equol against Candida albicans

In this study, we demonstrate that equol has fungicidal activities against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of equol against C. albicans were 516 and 1,032 microM, respectively. Two separate viability assays found that equol changed the integrity of the C. albicans cell membrane, possibly by formation of membrane lesions. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated ultrastructural changes.

The Effect of Dilution with 0.9% Normal Saline on Reducing Withdrawal Movement Induced by Rocuronium Injection

BACKGROUND: The intravenous injection of rocuronium after loss of consciousness during induction of general anesthesia can cause a withdrawal movement of hand, arm or more than one extremity. We designed this study to examine diluted rocuronium (2 mg/ml) with 0.9% normal saline can reduce withdrawal movement. METHODS: Eighty healthy female patients (aged 19-63) scheduled for general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of two groups; Group 1 (rocuronium 10 mg/ml) and Group 2 (rocuronium diluted to 2 mg/ml with 0.9% normal saline). After loss of consciousness and eyelid reflex by intravenous injection of thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg, rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) was injected at the speed of 1 ml/sec in both groups. The incidence and severity of withdrawal movements were assessed by using four-point scales. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of withdrawal movement in response to rocuronium injection were significantly reduced in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dilution of rocuronium 10 mg/ml to 2 mg/ml with 0.9% normal saline was significantly effective for reducing withdrawal movement during induction of general anesthesia. This is a simple and effective strategy for preventing rocuronium-induced withdrawal movement.

Infrared Thermal Imaging in Hemiplegic Patients of Upper Extremity by Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of infrared thermal imaging for define the cause of shoulder pain on hemiplegic patients. METHOD: Subjects were 91 stroke patients who admitted to rehabilitation department from January 2002 to June 2003. Retrospective study was done by review of medical records. The subjects were divided into the control group (n=42) without shoulder pain and study group (n=49) who had the shoulder pain. The study group were also divided into subluxation, adhesive capsulitis, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I by main cause of pain. RESULTS: In the control group, the result revealed hypothermia on the involved upper extremity compared with the opposite intact side (p <0.05). In the study group, it revealed hyperthermia on the hand and forearm who diagnosed with CRPS type I. CONCLUSION: Distal infrared thermal imaging is considered to be useful diagnostic tool of CRPS type I in hemiplegic patient with shoulder pain.

Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Athletes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of 10 patients who had been in rehabilitation program after reconstruction of ACL. We measured the range of motion of the knee joint, pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the difference of thigh circumference between normal and reconstructed legs, strength of flexors and extensors of the knee, and functional test before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: The range of motion, VAS score, thigh circumference, strength of flexors and extensors of reconstructed knee were significantly improved after rehabilitation. The knee flexion angle increased from 86.5degrees to 135degrees and knee extension angle increased from -9.61 degrees to 0 degree. VAS score decreased from 3.8 to 1.2. The thigh circumference just above patella decreased from 38.6 cm to 36.5 cm. The torque of flexors increased from 66.2 N.m to 128.7 N.m and that of extensors at 60 degrees/sec increased from 110.5 N.m to 201.2 N.m. 8 out of 10 players returned to sports successfully after systemic rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: We suggested systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction for successful return to sports.

Rehabilitation after Menisectomy in Elite Soccer Players

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after menisectomy. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of 13 patients who had been in rehabilitation program after menisectomy. We measured the range of motion of the knee joint, pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the difference of thigh circumference between normal and menisectomied legs, and strength of flexors and extensor of the knee and functional tests before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Range of motion, VAS score, thigh circumference, strength of flexors and extensors of the menisectomied knee were significantly different before and after rehabilitation. Knee flexion angle increased from 76.9degrees to 135degrees and knee extension angle increased from -10.8degrees to 0degrees. VAS score decreased from 4.3 to 0.9. The difference of thigh circumference decreased from 2.80 to 0.44 cm. The torque of flexors increased from 82.88 to 120.05 Nm and that of extensors increased from 97.83 to 149.77 Nm at 60 degrees/ sec. Twelve out of 13 players performed functional activities and returned to sports successfully after systemic rehabilitation. The average duration of rehabilitation was 16.6 weeks. CONCLUSION: We suggested that systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after the menisectomy was needed for successful return to sports.