A Study on the Evaluation of Brainstem Dysfunction in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Using Video Nystagmography

Background@#This study aimed to differentiate video nystagmography (VNG) characteristics, including the video head impulse test (vHIT), in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) from healthy controls, which is considered a precursor to degenerative diseases. @*Methods@#One hundred eighty-five patients underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and VNG. Based on overnight PSG, 27 patients with RBD or REM sleep without atonia (RWA) and AHI<15 were categorized into the RBD group, 34 patients with RBD/RWA and AHI≥15 were grouped into the combined group. Sixty patients with AHI≥15 and no RBD/RWA were included in the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) group, and 64 negative participants were assigned to the control group. In VNG, we measured the gain of vHIT in each canal, with the latency, amplitude, and velocity of horizontal saccades and smooth pursuit. We compared the results between groups using ANOVA, after normalization and adjustment for age and sex. @*Results@#The gain of vHIT in the left horizontal canal was decreased in the RBD group, but it was more pronounced in the OSA group. Elevated gain of the left posterior canal was seen in the RBD group, but technical errors were attributable. The RBD group displayed prolonged latency of saccade on the left side and slowed saccade on the right side, but these were statistically insignificant. @*Conclusions@#The VNG study revealed differences between the sleep disorders, potentially reflecting brainstem function in each disorder. However, these differences lacked statistical significance. We anticipate that significant results could be obtained with more controlled conditions.

Upregulation of prostaglandin E2 by inducible microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in colon cancer

Purpose@#Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to promote carcinogenesis and cancer progression in colon cancer. Enzymes involved in the metabolism of PGE2 include cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). The current study aims to determine how PGE2 is expressed by examining patients with colorectal cancer and evaluating colon cancer cells to gain insight into changes in relevant enzymes upon induction of PGE2. @*Methods@#The concentration of PGE2 was measured in tumor tissues and adjacent normal mucosal tissues of 26 patients with colon cancer. The expression of COX-1, COX-2, mPGES-1, and 15-PGDH proteins was measured. The concentration of PGE2 in FET colon cancer cells was measured both in the initial status and after stimulation by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The expression levels of PGE2-related enzymes were measured as well. @*Results@#There was no significant difference in the average concentration of PGE2, which was measured at 453.1 pg/mL in cancer tissues and 401.2 pg/mL in normal mucosa. Among PGE2-related enzymes, 15-PGDH was expressed at a lower level in tumor cells than in normal mucosa. In colon cancer cells, PGE2 was found to be upregulated upon stimulation by TNF-α, which led to strong induction of mPGES-1 without any change in the expression of COX-2 among the PGE2-related enzymes. @*Conclusion@#These results demonstrated that PGE2 can be induced by stimuli such as TNF-α, and suggest that activation of mPGES-1 is more closely related than that of COX-2 in the induction of PGE2 on colon cancer.

Risk Factors for Subsequent Contralateral Hip Fracture following Osteoporotic Hip Fracture Surgery

Purpose@#This study examined the risk factors contributing to subsequent hip fractures in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. @*Materials and Methods@#Between March 2008 and February 2016, 68 patients sustained a subsequent contralateral hip fracture after surgery for a primary osteoporotic hip fracture (Study group). The patients were compared with 475 patients who had been followed up for a minimum of one year with a unilateral osteoporotic hip fracture (Control group). The demographic data, bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis medication, osteoporotic fracture history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, preoperative, postoperative ambulatory capacity, and postoperative delirium in the two groups were compared. @*Results@#The demographic data, BMD, osteoporosis medication history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, and postoperative delirium were similar in the two groups. At three months after the primary surgery, the poor ambulatory capacity was significantly higher in the study group than the control group (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The ambulatory capacity after primary surgery is an important risk factor in the occurrence of subsequent hip fractures after osteoporotic hip fracture. Cause analysis regarding the poor ambulatory capacity after surgery will be necessary, and the development of a functional recovery program and careful management of the walking ability recovery will be needed.

Clostridium difficile Infection After Ileostomy Reversal

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after ileostomy reversal is rare, with few reports available in the available literature describing this condition. The diagnosis of CDI after ileostomy reversal is challenging because symptoms such as diarrhea observed in these patients can occur frequently after surgery. However, CDI can be fatal, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. We discuss 2 patients with positive C. difficile toxin assay results on stool cultures performed after ileostomy reversal. Clinical progression differed between these patients: one patient who presented with severe CDI and shock was successfully treated following a prolonged intensive care unit stay for the management of vital signs and underwent hemodialysis, while another patient showed symptoms of mild colitis but we could not confirm whether diarrhea was associated with CDI or with the usual postoperative state. To our knowledge, these represent 2 of just a few cases reported in the literature describing CDI after ileostomy reversal.

Risk Factors for Subsequent Contralateral Hip Fracture following Osteoporotic Hip Fracture Surgery

Purpose@#This study examined the risk factors contributing to subsequent hip fractures in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. @*Materials and Methods@#Between March 2008 and February 2016, 68 patients sustained a subsequent contralateral hip fracture after surgery for a primary osteoporotic hip fracture (Study group). The patients were compared with 475 patients who had been followed up for a minimum of one year with a unilateral osteoporotic hip fracture (Control group). The demographic data, bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis medication, osteoporotic fracture history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, preoperative, postoperative ambulatory capacity, and postoperative delirium in the two groups were compared. @*Results@#The demographic data, BMD, osteoporosis medication history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, and postoperative delirium were similar in the two groups. At three months after the primary surgery, the poor ambulatory capacity was significantly higher in the study group than the control group (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The ambulatory capacity after primary surgery is an important risk factor in the occurrence of subsequent hip fractures after osteoporotic hip fracture. Cause analysis regarding the poor ambulatory capacity after surgery will be necessary, and the development of a functional recovery program and careful management of the walking ability recovery will be needed.

Clostridium difficile Infection After Ileostomy Reversal

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after ileostomy reversal is rare, with few reports available in the available literature describing this condition. The diagnosis of CDI after ileostomy reversal is challenging because symptoms such as diarrhea observed in these patients can occur frequently after surgery. However, CDI can be fatal, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. We discuss 2 patients with positive C. difficile toxin assay results on stool cultures performed after ileostomy reversal. Clinical progression differed between these patients: one patient who presented with severe CDI and shock was successfully treated following a prolonged intensive care unit stay for the management of vital signs and underwent hemodialysis, while another patient showed symptoms of mild colitis but we could not confirm whether diarrhea was associated with CDI or with the usual postoperative state. To our knowledge, these represent 2 of just a few cases reported in the literature describing CDI after ileostomy reversal.

Postoperative Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture:A Literature Review / 대한고관절학회지

As the proportion of elderly individuals within the population grows, the incidence of hip fractures increases.Traditionally, orthopedic surgeons used to focus on surgical treatment of hip fractures; however, the field’s appreciation for the importance of postoperative rehabilitation has been increasing recently. Many studies have shown that proper rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery can shorten hospital stays and improve clinical outcomes.However, such studies use different methods and published rehabilitation protocols address varying aspects that do not always overlap. Here, we review and summarize the latest guidelines and studies on postoperative rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Postoperative Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture:A Literature Review / 대한고관절학회지

As the proportion of elderly individuals within the population grows, the incidence of hip fractures increases.Traditionally, orthopedic surgeons used to focus on surgical treatment of hip fractures; however, the field’s appreciation for the importance of postoperative rehabilitation has been increasing recently. Many studies have shown that proper rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery can shorten hospital stays and improve clinical outcomes.However, such studies use different methods and published rehabilitation protocols address varying aspects that do not always overlap. Here, we review and summarize the latest guidelines and studies on postoperative rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Surgical Outcomes and Risk Factors in Patients Who Underwent Emergency Colorectal Surgery

PURPOSE: Emergency colorectal surgery has high rates of complications and mortality because of incomplete bowel preparation and bacterial contamination. The authors aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and the risk factors for the mortality and the complication rates of patients who underwent emergency surgery to treat colorectal diseases. METHODS: This is a prospective study from January 2014 to April 2016, and the results are based on a retrospective analysis of the clinical results for patients who underwent emergency colorectal surgery at Chosun University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients underwent emergency colorectal surgery during the study period. The most frequent indication of surgery was perforation (75.8%). The causes of disease were colorectal cancer (19.2%), complicated diverticulitis (21.2%), and ischemia (27.2%). There were 27 mortalities (27.3%). The major morbidity was 39.5%. Preoperative hypotension and perioperative blood transfusion were independent risk factors for both morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that emergency colorectal surgeries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the independent risk factors for both morbidity and mortality in such patiients were preoperative hypotension and perioperative transfusion.

Factors Influencing Central Neck Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: A papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) measures 1 cm or less in diameter. The diagnosis, and thus the apparent incidence, of PTMC has recently increased owing to an increase in the detection of subclinical small and low-risk carcinomas with ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology. However, central neck lymph node metastasis (CLNM) can occur in patients with PTMC. We evaluated the factors influencing CLNM in patients with PTMC. METHODS: We reviewed medical records including clinical information and pathologic reports, and analyzed 622 patients with PTMC who underwent thyroid surgery from January 2002 to December 2012. RESULTS: CLNM was detected in 119 patients (19.1%) of the 622 with PTMC. Lymph node metastasis occurred more frequently in males (P=0.025), and those with bilateral tumors (P=0.016), more than two tumors (P=0.035), tumor size greater than 5 mm (P<0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.024). There were no statistically significant differences in age and capsular invasion. Multivariate analysis showed that significant factors affecting lymph node metastasis included age at operation (odds ratio [OR]=0.647, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.422∼0.990, P=0.045), sex (OR=0.489, 95% CI=0.268∼0.891, P=0.020), tumor size (OR=3.034, 95% CI=1.761∼5.224, P<0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (OR=15.036, 95% CI=1.450∼155.911, P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Age less than 45 years, male sex, tumor size greater than 5 mm, and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors associated with CLNM.

Anti-neuro-inflammatory effects of Nardostachys chinensis in lipopolysaccharide-and lipoteichoic acid-stimulated microglial cells / 中国天然药物

Excessive microglial cell activation is related to the progression of chronic neuro-inflammatory disorders. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression mediated by the NFE2-related factor (Nrf-2) pathway is a key regulator of neuro-inflammation. Nardostachys chinensis is used as an anti-malarial, anti-nociceptive, and neurotrophic treatment in traditional Asian medicines. In the present study, we examined the effects of an ethyl acetate extract of N. chinensis (EN) on the anti-neuro-inflammatory effects mediated by HO-1 up-regulation in Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Our results indicated that EN suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and induced HO-1 transcription and translation through Nrf-2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling. EN markedly inhibited LPS- and LTA-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) as well as phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). Furthermore, EN protected hippocampal HT22 cells from indirect neuronal toxicity mediated by LPS- and LTA-treated microglial cells. These results suggested that EN impairs LPS- and LTA-induced neuro-inflammatory responses in microglial cells and confers protection against indirect neuronal damage to HT22 cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that EN could be used as a natural anti-neuro-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent.

A Case of Acute Kidney Injury in A 62 Year Old Man Who Took Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidzumi

The drug inducing tubulointerstitial nephritis is a crucial cause of acute kidney injury. Use of herbal plants in disease treatment is generally practiced in Korea. Although there are a small number of case reports, tubulointerstitial nephritis caused by taking Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi in human has never been reported. A 62-year-old man visited our hospital with symptoms of systemic edema accompanied by reduced urine volume and dyspnea after taking herbal plant 1 week ago. Chest radiographs showed both sided pleural effusion. Blood test results showed elevation of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level and urine test results showed hematuria and proteinuria. Renal biopsy result showed evidence of tubulointerstitial nephritis by tubulitis and inflammatory cell expansion in the interstitium was observed. The patient's renal function recovered after administration of active renal replacement treatment and conservative therapy such as supplementation of fluid and electrolytes, and there was no disease recurrence for 1 year. Therefore, this case proved that Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi could cause acute kidney injury by the drug induced tubulointerstitial nephritis in human.

Comparison of Microbial Diversity of Korean Commercial Makgeolli Showing High beta-Glucan Content and High Antihypertensive Activity, Respectively

We measured physiological functionalities, including antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity and immun-stimulating beta-glucan content for sixty kinds of Makgeolli that is commercially available from the market. As a result, we selected R-12 commercial raw Makgeolli, with a high content of immuno-stimulating beta-glucan, and R-14 commercial raw Makgeolli, exhibiting high antihypertensive activity. Due to the similarities in their overall physicochemical properties and raw materials used for fermentation, we compared the microbial flora in order to investigate the reason for the differences in their functionalities. Nested PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for yeasts and bacteria were performed for analysis of microbial diversity of two different kinds of Makgeolli (i.e., R-12, R-14), which showed immuno-stimulating beta-glucan content and exhibited a very high level of antihypertensive activity, respectively. Analysis of the 18S rDNA amplicon revealed a major presence of the yeast strain Pichia burtonii in every Makgeolli sample. Analysis of the 16S rDNA amplicon revealed a predominance of lactic acid bacteria, and the most frequent lactic acid bacteria were Lactobacillus ingluviei, L. fermentum, and L. harbinensis, and Lactobacillus sp. Among these, L. harbinensis was detected only in R-12 and L. ingluviei was found only in R-14. Different functionalities from the individual commercially available Makgeolli may be attributed to actions of different microbial flora during fermentation.

Progressive Zosteriform Macular Pigmented Lesion / 대한피부과학회지

A progressive zosteriform macular pigmented lesion (PZMPL) is a chronic pigmentary dermatosis similar to progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation (PCZH), but characteristically accompanied by pruritus as a prodromal symptom and histologic findings, such as pigmentary incontinence. PZMPL was described by Simoes in 1980 and manifests a uniformly tanned macular pigmented lesion in a zosteriform distribution. PZMPL is usually preceded by multiple pruritic macular pigmentation in a part of the dermatome for a period of time. Despite the difficulty in differentiation among other pigmentary disorders with unilateral distribution, such as linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis, partial unilateral lentiginosis, and Becker's melanosis, PZMPL can be diagnosed by clinical symptoms and signs, the pattern of lesions, and histologic features. A 6-year-old Korean girl presented with unilaterally located brown macules and patches on the left side of the chest, arm, and back. From childhood, the pigmented macules appeared and coalesced into patches on the left back. The arm and chest lesions extended along the Blaschko's line in a zosteriform distribution. She had no history of previous skin diseases, injuries, or inflammation. The histologic findings revealed increased melanin pigment in the basal layer and focal pigmentary incontinence in the upper dermis. We report a rare case of PZMPL thought to be the same case reported by Simoes.

Clear Cell Syringoid Eccrine Carcinoma / 대한피부과학회지

Syringoid eccrine carcinoma (SEC) is a rare adnexal tumor with some controversy surrounding its correct definition. It may also be difficult to differentiate from its benign counterpart (syringoma), other adnexal carcinomas, and cutaneous metastasis from adenocarcinomas. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by syringoma-like tadpole morphology composed of basaloid cells with ductular differentiation. However, the tumor cells are deeply invasive and often extend to subcutaneous tissue, which distinguishes this malignancy from syringoma. Moreover, the tumor cells may rarely show striking vacuolization due to intracytoplasmic glycogen accumulation, called clear cell syringoid eccrine carcinoma. To our knowledge, no case of clear cell SEC in Korea has ever been reported. Herein, we present a case of a SEC (of the clear cell variant) complemented with an immunohistochemical study, the latter revealing cytoplasmic accumulation of glycogen and the presence of intercellular and intracellular lumina in clear tumor cells, as well as diverse hallmarks of SEC.

Leukocytoclastic Vasulitis Induced by Gefitinib / 대한피부과학회지

Gefitinib (Iressa(R), AstraZeneca) is an oral form of an anticancer drug called epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is widely used for various solid cancers, including lung cancer. Cutaneous adverse reactions induced by gefitinib have recently been reported with an incidence ranging from 49% to 100%, and they include acneiform skin rash, hyperpigmentation, xerotic skin, pruritus, skin fissures, nail change and disorders of the mucous membranes, eyes and hair. To the best of our knowledge, no cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with gefitinib have ever been published in the Korean medical literature, and there have been only four such reported cases in other countries. Herein, we report on a case of leukocytoclastic vasulitis induced by gefitinib in a patient with lung cancer.

A Case of Fabry's Disease with Congenital Agammaglobulinemia

Fabry's disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by abnormalities in the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene, which leads to a GLA deficiency and to the intracellular deposition of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) within vascular endothelium and other tissues. It manifests as progressive multiple organ dysfunctions caused by the deposition of Gb3. On the other hand, congenital agammaglobulinemia is usually caused by mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene with X-linked dominence, suppresses B cell maturation, and causes recurrent pyogenic infections. In former reports, the distance between the loci in the Xq22 region of the human X chromosome was found to be about 69 kilobases. A 23-yr-old man diagnosed with congenital agammaglobulinemia at age 5, showed typical clinical and laboratory and histopathological findings of Fabry's disease. The genetic basis of this combination of the two syndromes was studied in this patient. Here, we report a case of Fabry's disease with congenital agammaglobulinemia.

A Genetic Study in a Patient with Incontinentia Pigmenti / 대한피부과학회지

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare X-linked dominant, multisystem genodermatosis that affects ectoderm-derived structures. Its cutaneous manifestations are usually subdivided into the vesicular, verrucous, hyperpigmented, and hypopigmented or atrophic stages. IP can also affect other ectoderm-derived structures, such as, hair, nails, teeth, eyes, and the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. About 80% of IP patients have genomic deletions of exons 4~10 of the NEMO (NF-kappaB-Essential MOdulator) gene, also known as the IKKgamma (gamma-subunit of the inhibitor kappaB kinase), which is essential for the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway. The female infant presented in this case report was born to healthy non-consanguineous parents and showed vesiculopustular eruptions with a NEMO gene rearrangement. No IP case has been previously reported to be related to a NEMO gene mutation in South Korea. In other words, this is the first report to confirm the relation between IP and mutation of the NEMO gene in Koreans.

CD20 Positive T Cell Lymphoma Involvement of Skin

CD20 positive T cell lymphoma is a rare condition that is associated with the coexpressions of CD20 and T cell markers, such as, CD3, CD5, or UCHL-1. Positivity for CD20 in this tumor represents an aberrant immunophenotype, but the presence of monoclonal T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements and negativity for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement indicate that this tumor is a T cell lymphoma. The majority of cases of CD20 positive T cell lymphoma have been reported as immature peripheral T cell lymphoma not otherwise specified. However, we believe that this disease is likely to be re-listed as a new disease entity after its pathogenesis has been elucidated and more cases have been evaluated. Here, we present a case of peripheral T cell lymphoma coexpressing CD20 and T cell markers with a demonstrable TCR gene rearrangement, in a patient who had been misdiagnosed as having B cell type lymphoma 4 years previously. We hypothesize that in this case initially circulating normal CD20+ T cell subsets underwent neoplastic transformation and CD20 positive T cell lymphoma subsequently developed in the lymph node, and then recurred in the skin due to systemic disease or metastasized from the nodal disease.

CD4-/CD56+/CD123+ Hematodermic Neoplasm Showing Early Liver Metastasis

Hematodermic neoplasm (HN) is a clinically aggressive neoplasm with a high incidence of cutaneous involvement and a risk of leukemic dissemination. In the recent WHO-EORTC classification, the term blastic natural killer cell lymphoma has been replaced with CD4+/CD56+ HN because of its derivation from a plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursor. Cases of HN that completely lack CD4 or CD56 expression, therefore represents a diagnostic problem. A 68-year-old Korean male was diagnosed with CD4-/CD56+ HN and treated with hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) at initial treatment, and then switched to high dose methotrexate/cytarabine. His disease relapsed and resulted in death from bone and brain disease 6 months after complete clinical remission, despite diagnostic workups, including a radioisotope liver scan and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. Further cytogenetic studies such as comparative genomic hybridization could elucidate the genetic mechanisms in the development and progression of lymphomas. We report an unusual case of 'CD4-/CD56+/CD123+ HN' showing early liver metastasis.