Surface Film Formation in Static-Fermented Rice Vinegar: A Case Study

In the present study, we aimed to determine the cause of surface film formation in three rice vinegars fermented using the traditional static fermentation method. The pH and total acidity of vinegar were 3.0–3.3 and 3.0–8.7%, respectively, and acetic acid was the predominant organic acid present. Colonies showing a clear halo on GYC medium were isolated from the surface film of all vinegars. Via 16S rDNA sequencing, all of the isolates were identified as Acetobacter pasteurianus. Furthermore, field-emission scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the bacterial cells had a rough surface, were rod-shaped, and were ∼1 × 2 µm in size. Interestingly, cells of the isolate from one of the vinegars were surrounded with an extremely fine threadlike structure. Thus, our results suggest that formation of the surface film in rice vinegar was attributable not to external contamination, to the production of bacterial cellulose by A. pasteurianus to withstand the high concentrations of acetic acid generated during fermentation. However, because of the formation of a surface film in vinegar is undesirable from an industrial perspective, further studies should focus on devising a modified fermentation process to prevent surface film formation and consequent quality degradation.

Clinical and Pathological Features of Generalized Granuloma Annulare with Their Correlation: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Korea

BACKGROUND: Generalized granuloma annulare (GGA) is a benign skin disorder of an unknown etiology. Though some cases of GGA have been reported, few systemic reviews of the clinical and pathological features of GGA have been performed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze and correlate the clinical and pathological characteristics of GGA in Korean patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study that included 54 biopsy specimens of Korean GGA patients, and the clinical and pathological features of GGA were reviewed and analyzed for their correlation. RESULTS: The cutaneous lesions could be divided into the annular (24, 44%) and nonannular types (30, 56%), and the lesions were more common in males than in females (29 males and 25 females). The incidence of GGA showed a bimodal age distribution. The number of patients who presented within the first decade was 24 cases (44%), and 24 cases (44%) were over the fifth decade. Eight patients (15%) had systemic diseases. Especially, diabetes mellitus (DM) occurred only in the adult GGA patients over forty years old. The pathological findings showed dermal granulomatous lesions that consisted of either a palisading pattern (28, 52%) or an interstitial pattern (26, 48%). CONCLUSION: In contrast to the previously reported studies, the age of GGA onset showed a bimodal distribution, and GGA was observed more often in males. The prevalence of DM in the GGA affected individuals was higher than that found in the general Korean population. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a work-up for DM in the GGA affected patients who are over forty years old.

Clinical and Pathological Features of Generalized Granuloma Annulare with Their Correlation: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Korea

BACKGROUND: Generalized granuloma annulare (GGA) is a benign skin disorder of an unknown etiology. Though some cases of GGA have been reported, few systemic reviews of the clinical and pathological features of GGA have been performed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze and correlate the clinical and pathological characteristics of GGA in Korean patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study that included 54 biopsy specimens of Korean GGA patients, and the clinical and pathological features of GGA were reviewed and analyzed for their correlation. RESULTS: The cutaneous lesions could be divided into the annular (24, 44%) and nonannular types (30, 56%), and the lesions were more common in males than in females (29 males and 25 females). The incidence of GGA showed a bimodal age distribution. The number of patients who presented within the first decade was 24 cases (44%), and 24 cases (44%) were over the fifth decade. Eight patients (15%) had systemic diseases. Especially, diabetes mellitus (DM) occurred only in the adult GGA patients over forty years old. The pathological findings showed dermal granulomatous lesions that consisted of either a palisading pattern (28, 52%) or an interstitial pattern (26, 48%). CONCLUSION: In contrast to the previously reported studies, the age of GGA onset showed a bimodal distribution, and GGA was observed more often in males. The prevalence of DM in the GGA affected individuals was higher than that found in the general Korean population. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a work-up for DM in the GGA affected patients who are over forty years old.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome Associated with Psoriasis Vulgaris / 대한피부과학회지

The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterized by uveitis and neurologic and cutaneous abnormalities including tinnitus, vertigo, headache, meningoencephalitis, vitiligo, alopecia, and poliosis. Although the cause of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome remains unknown, it is believed to be the result of autoimmune mechanisms directed against the melanocytes in genetically susceptible individuals. The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome has been reported to occur in association with other autoimmune disorders. We report a case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome associated with psoriasis vulgaris.

Two Cases of Hand-Foot Syndrome Induced by Sunitinib / 대한피부과학회지

Sunitinib (SU11248) is a novel orally administered small molecule that inhibits multiple receptor tyrosine kinases so that can block tumor growth and angiogenesis. It was approved on 2006, for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Various cutaneous adverse reactions induced by sunitinib have been reported, including hand-foot syndrome. We report two cases of hand-foot syndrome induced by sunitinib for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

A Case of Targetoid Hemosiderotic Hemangioma / 대한피부과학회지

Targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma (THH) is a solitary vascular tumor typically occurring in young or middle-aged persons, and affecting the limbs or trunk. Characteristically, the lesion has a "targetoid" appearance where a violaceous papule is surrounded by an ecchymotic or brown ring that can expand or subsequently disappear with the persistence of the central papule. THH is characterized histologically by dilated vascular structures in the superficial dermis lined by prominent hobnail endothelial cells and collagen-dissecting, rather narrow neoplastic vessels in the deeper parts of the lesion. We report a 17-year-old girl who presented showing typical clinical and histological features of targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma.

A Case of Generalized Granuloma Annulare Following BCG Vaccination / 대한피부과학회지

Generalized granuloma annulare is defined as affecting at least the trunk and either the upper or lower extremities, or both. It is represented by disseminated necrobiotic dermal papules forming annular or nonannular configuration. Clinical associations between generalized granuloma annulare and diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, malignancy, infection, and vaccination have been reported. BCG vaccination induces specific and nonspecific dermatologic complications such as scrofuloderma-like, lupus vulgaris-like, tuberculid, urticaria, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, and granuloma annulare. Generalized granuloma annulare associated with BCG vaccination or tuberculin test has not been reported in the Korean literature. Herein, we report a case of generalized granuloma annulare which occurred in a 6-month-old boy following BCGitis on the BCG vaccination site.

Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption Complicating Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption results from a widespread infection of a virus to skin damaged by predisposing dermatoses. It is usually a manifestation of a primary herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in a child with atopic dermatitis, but other skin conditions can be complicated. Here, we report an unusual case of KVE arising from lichen simplex chronicus on the male genital area.

A Case of Targetoid Hemosiderotic Hemangioma / 대한피부과학회지

Targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma (THH) is a solitary vascular tumor affecting the limbs or trunk, typically occurring in young or middle-aged persons. The lesion has a "targetoid" appearance, where a violaceous papule is surrounded by an ecchymotic or brown ring. THH is characterized histologically by dilated vascular structures in the superficial dermis lined by prominent hobnail endothelial cells and collagen-dissecting, rather narrow neoplastic vessels in the deeper parts of the lesion. It is important to distinguish this tumor from patch stage of Kaposi's sarcoma, solitary angiokeratoma, and retiform hemangioendothelioma. We report a 12-year-old girl showing typical clinical and histological features of targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma.