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1.
Mol Psychiatry ; 2024 Apr 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38664490

ABSTRACT

Depression in older adults with cognitive impairment increases progression to dementia. Microbiota is associated with current mood and cognition, but the extent to which it predicts future symptoms is unknown. In this work, we identified microbial features that reflect current and predict future cognitive and depressive symptoms. Clinical assessments and stool samples were collected from 268 participants with varying cognitive and depressive symptoms. Seventy participants underwent 2-year follow-up. Microbial community diversity, structure, and composition were assessed using high-resolution 16 S rRNA marker gene sequencing. We implemented linear regression to characterize the relationship between microbiome composition, current cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. We leveraged elastic net regression to discover features that reflect current or future cognitive function and depressive symptoms. Greater microbial community diversity associated with lower current cognition in the whole sample, and greater depression in participants not on antidepressants. Poor current cognitive function associated with lower relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, while greater GABA degradation associated with greater current depression severity. Future cognitive decline associated with lower cognitive function, lower relative abundance of Intestinibacter, lower glutamate degradation, and higher baseline histamine synthesis. Future increase in depressive symptoms associated with higher baseline depression and anxiety, lower cognitive function, diabetes, lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota, and lower glutamate degradation. Our results suggest cognitive dysfunction and depression are unique states with an overall biological effect detectable through gut microbiota. The microbiome may present a noninvasive readout and prognostic tool for cognitive and psychiatric states.

2.
Avian Dis ; 65(4): 530-540, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35068095

ABSTRACT

The emergence of avian reovirus variant strains has caused negative effects in the poultry industry worldwide. Regardless of the efforts in molecular characterization and classification of these variants, information about the pathogenicity, transmissibility, and immunosuppression in chickens is limited. The genomes of two variant strains (A and B) and a classic S1133 strain (C) belonging to the same sigma C genotype 1 were compared. Additionally, these strains were used in a challenge experiment to evaluate inoculated and indirectly exposed specific-pathogen-free chickens. The whole-genome sequence analysis of the three strains revealed nucleotide identity differences in the L3, M2, and S1 genes. Strains A and B also showed homology differences in the S4 gene, despite having high homologies in all other genes. The in vivo challenge experiments showed that, whereas variant A induced high viral loads in tendons, hearts, and duodena of inoculated chickens, variant B induced high viral loads in indirectly exposed chickens. Likewise, histopathology reflected differences in the pathologic effects induced by these strains. For instance, the B and C strains induced more severe microscopic lesions compared with the A strain. Lymphoid depletion was more severe in bursas than in thymi, and inoculated birds were more affected than exposed birds. In conclusion, different pathologic outcomes in chickens were observed depending on the strain and transmission route. This study provides insights onto the relationship between pathogenicity and genomic composition of avian reoviruses.


Reovirus aviares del mismo genotipo inducen diferentes patologías en pollos. La aparición de cepas variantes del reovirus aviar ha causado efectos negativos en la industria avícola en todo el mundo. Independientemente de los esfuerzos en la caracterización molecular y clasificación de estas variantes, la información sobre la patogenicidad, transmisibilidad e inmunodepresión en pollos es limitada. Se compararon los genomas de dos cepas variantes (A y B) y una cepa S1133 clásica (C) perteneciente al mismo genotipo 1 del gene sigma C. Además, estas cepas se utilizaron en un experimento de desafío para evaluar pollos libres de patógenos específicos inoculados y expuestos indirectamente. El análisis de la secuencia del genoma completo de las tres cepas reveló diferencias de identidad de nucleótidos en los genes L3, M2 y S1. Las cepas A y B también mostraron diferencias de homología en el gene S4, a pesar de tener altas similitudes en todos los demás genes. Los experimentos de exposición in vivo mostraron que, mientras que la variante A inducía altas cargas virales en tendones, corazones y duodeno en los pollos inoculados, la variante B inducía altas cargas virales en pollos expuestos indirectamente. Asimismo, la histopatología reflejó diferencias en los efectos patológicos inducidos por estas cepas. Por ejemplo, las cepas B y C indujeron lesiones microscópicas más graves en comparación con la cepa A. La despoblación linfoide fue más severa en las bolsas que en el timo, y las aves inoculadas resultaron más afectadas que las expuestas. En conclusión, se observaron diferentes resultados patológicos en pollos según la cepa y la vía de transmisión. Este estudio proporciona información sobre la relación entre la patogenicidad y la composición genómica de los reovirus aviares.


Subject(s)
Orthoreovirus, Avian , Poultry Diseases , Reoviridae Infections , Animals , Chickens , Genotype , Orthoreovirus, Avian/genetics , Reoviridae Infections/veterinary
3.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ; 40(6): 946-953, 2019 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31097431

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Assessment of the collateral status has been emphasized for appropriate treatment decisions in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to introduce a multiphase MRA collateral imaging method (collateral map) derived from time-resolved dynamic contrast-enhanced MRA and to verify the value of the multiphase MRA collateral map in acute ischemic stroke by comparing it with the multiphase collateral imaging method (MRP collateral map) derived from dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR perfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a prospectively maintained registry of acute ischemic stroke, MR imaging data of patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by steno-occlusive lesions of the unilateral ICA and/or the M1 segment of the MCA were analyzed. We generated collateral maps using dynamic signals from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRA and DSC-MRP using a Matlab-based in-house program and graded the collateral scores of the multiphase MRA collateral map and the MRP collateral map independently. Interobserver reliabilities and intermethod agreement between both collateral maps for collateral grading were tested. RESULTS: Seventy-one paired multiphase MRA and MRP collateral maps from 67 patients were analyzed. The interobserver reliabilities for collateral grading using multiphase MRA or MRP collateral maps were excellent (weighted κ = 0.964 and 0.956, respectively). The agreement between both collateral maps was also excellent (weighted κ = 0.884; 95% confidence interval, 0.819-0.949). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the dynamic signals of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRA could be used to generate multiphase collateral images and showed the possibility of the multiphase MRA collateral map as a useful collateral imaging method in acute ischemic stroke.


Subject(s)
Collateral Circulation , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Neuroimaging/methods , Stroke/diagnostic imaging , Aged , Brain Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects
5.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ; 38(7): 1383-1390, 2017 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28473338

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and neural tissue deposition is gadolinium dose-dependent. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate minimal dose of gadobutrol with time-resolved MRA to assess supra-aortic arterial stenosis with contrast-enhanced MRA as a reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred sixty-two consecutive patients underwent both standard-dose contrast-enhanced MRA and low-dose time-resolved MRA and were classified into 3 groups; group A (a constant dose of 1 mL for time-resolved MRA), group B (2 mL), or group C (3 mL). All studies were independently evaluated by 2 radiologists for image quality by using a 5-point scale (from 0 = failure to 4 = excellent), grading of arterial stenosis (0 = normal, 1 = mild [<30%], 2 = moderate [30%-69%], 3 = severe to occlusion [≥70%]), and signal-to-noise ratio. RESULTS: The image quality of time-resolved MRA was similar to that of contrast-enhanced MRA in groups B and C, but it was inferior to contrast-enhanced MRA in group A. For the grading of arterial stenosis, there was an excellent correlation between contrast-enhanced MRA and time-resolved MRA (R = 0.957 for group A, R = 0.988 for group B, R = 0.991 for group C). The SNR of time-resolved MRA tended to be lower than that of contrast-enhanced MRA in groups A and B. However, SNR was higher for time-resolved MRA compared with contrast-enhanced MRA in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose time-resolved MRA is feasible in the evaluation of supra-aortic stenosis and could be used as an alternative to contrast-enhanced MRA for a diagnostic technique in high-risk populations.


Subject(s)
Aorta/diagnostic imaging , Cerebral Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Cerebral Veins/diagnostic imaging , Constriction, Pathologic , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Male , Middle Aged , Radiologists , Retrospective Studies , Signal-To-Noise Ratio , Stroke/diagnostic imaging
6.
Vet Comp Oncol ; 15(4): 1585-1589, 2017 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28185388

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Early and proper diagnosis of cancer is the most critical factor for the survival and treatment of veterinary cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated extracellular cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (ECPKA) level in serum as a useful cancer biomarker in dogs. METHODS: ECPKA levels were detected in sera from dogs with cancers (n = 48), benign tumours (n = 18), and non-tumour diseases (n = 102) as well as healthy control dogs (n = 54) utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Sera from dogs bearing various types of cancer exhibited markedly increased levels of ECPKA by up to 7.1-, 8.8-, and 10.9-fold compared with those from dogs harbouring benign tumours, dogs with non-tumour diseases, and healthy control dogs, respectively (P < .0001). In addition, serum ECPKA level did not show statistically significant correlation with gender, breed, or age of dogs or their non-cancerous disease conditions. CONCLUSION: Our data strongly propose that detection of serum ECPKA level is a potential and specific diagnostic tool for cancer in dogs.


Subject(s)
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/blood , Dog Diseases/blood , Neoplasms/veterinary , Animals , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Case-Control Studies , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dogs , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary , Female , Male , Neoplasms/blood , Neoplasms/diagnosis
8.
Eur J Gynaecol Oncol ; 37(4): 549-553, 2016 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29894083

ABSTRACT

Non-gestational choriocarcinoma (NGCO) is a rare primary ovarian cancer with poor prognosis. It is important to distinguish it from gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma (GCO), because there are different treatment options. However, it is difficult to distinguish the two types by routine histologic, ultrastructural, or immunohistochemical examination. The authors present NGCO in a 41-year-old woman, which was confirmed by DNA polymorphism analysis. All tested microsatellite markers had identical DNA profiles with the same allelic sizes between tumor and normal myometrium of the patient, indicating that both tissues originated from the same person. The results confirmed that the tumor was non-gestational in origin. Although the tumor was large, the authors performed hand- assisted laparoscopic surgical (HALS) staging. After three cycles of combination chemotherapy and surgery, the patient has not had any evidence of disease 48 months after treatment. This case demonstrates the usefulness of HALS staging and DNA polymorphism analysis in NGCO.


Subject(s)
Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational/diagnosis , DNA, Neoplasm , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational/drug therapy , Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational/genetics , Female , Humans , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic
9.
Indoor Air ; 25(6): 631-40, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25557769

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: We conducted a comprehensive humidifier disinfectant exposure characterization for 374 subjects with lung disease who presumed their disease was related to humidifier disinfectant use (patient group) and for 303 of their family members (family group) for an ongoing epidemiological study. We visited the homes of the registered patients to investigate disinfectant use characteristics. Probability of exposure to disinfectants was determined from the questionnaire and supporting evidence from photographs demonstrating the use of humidifier disinfectant, disinfectant purchase receipts, any residual disinfectant, and the consistency of their statements. Exposure duration was estimated as cumulative disinfectant use hours from the questionnaire. Airborne disinfectant exposure intensity (µg/m(3)) was estimated based on the disinfectant volume (ml) and frequency added to the humidifier per day, disinfectant bulk level (µg/ml), the volume of the room (m(3)) with humidifier disinfectant, and the degree of ventilation. Overall, the distribution patterns of the intensity, duration, and cumulative exposure to humidifier disinfectants for the patient group were higher than those of the family group, especially for pregnant women and patients ≤6 years old. Further study is underway to evaluate the association between the disinfectant exposures estimated here with clinically diagnosed lung disease. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Retrospective exposure to household humidifier disinfectant as estimated here can be used to evaluate associations with clinically diagnosed lung disease due to the use of humidifier disinfectant in Korea. The framework, with modifications to account for dispersion and use patterns, can also be potentially adapted to assessment of other household chemical exposures.


Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Disinfectants/analysis , Humidifiers , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Disinfectants/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Lung Diseases/epidemiology , Lung Diseases/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
10.
Water Sci Technol ; 70(12): 1998-2003, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25521136

ABSTRACT

A novel membrane bioreactor (MBR) pilot system, using membrane reciprocation instead of air scouring, was operated at constant high flux and daily fluctuating flux to demonstrate its application under peak and diurnal flow conditions. Low and stable transmembrane pressure was achieved at 40 l/m(2)/h (LMH) by use of repetitive membrane reciprocation. The results reveal that the inertial forces acting on the membrane fibers effectively propel foulants from the membrane surface. Reciprocation of the hollow fiber membrane is beneficial for the constant removal of solids that may build up on the membrane surface and inside the membrane bundle. The membrane reciprocation in the reciprocating MBR pilot consumed less energy than coarse air scouring used in conventional MBR systems. Specific energy consumption for the membrane reciprocation was 0.072 kWh/m(3) permeate produced at 40 LMH flux, which is 75% less than for a conventional air scouring system as reported in literature without consideration of energy consumption for biological aeration (0.29 kWh/m(3)). The daily fluctuating flux test confirmed that the membrane reciprocation is effective to handle fluctuating flux up to 50 LMH. The pilot-scale reciprocating MBR system successfully demonstrated that fouling can be controlled via 0.43 Hz membrane reciprocation with 44 mm or higher amplitude.


Subject(s)
Bioreactors , Membranes, Artificial , Conservation of Energy Resources , Pressure
11.
Eur J Gynaecol Oncol ; 35(6): 734-7, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25556284

ABSTRACT

Meigs' syndrome is the association of benign ovarian tumor, pleural effusion, and ascites. Meigs' syndrome with marked elevated CA 125 is a rare clinical entity and only 42 cases have been reported. Although there is difficulty in discerning the diagnosis of Meigs' syndrome from that of an ovarian malignancy, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients with an ovarian mass, hydrothorax, ascites, and elevated CA 125. In this report, the authors present the case of a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman with ovarian fibrothecoma, pleural effusion, ascites, and elevated CA 125 (319.2 IU/ml). Exploratory laparotomy with total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, and the pathologic diagnosis was ovarian fibrothecoma. After the surgery, the pleural effusion disappeared spontaneously and the CA 125 became normal. The authors also summarized other cases of Meigs' syndrome with elevated CA 125, and reviewed the mechanism of elevation of CA 125, ascites, and pleural effusion.


Subject(s)
CA-125 Antigen/blood , Meigs Syndrome/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Thecoma/blood , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Ovarian Neoplasms/surgery , Thecoma/surgery
12.
Scand J Immunol ; 78(3): 238-47, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23679814

ABSTRACT

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by dendritic cells (DCs) during antigen presentation in contact hypersensitivity (CHS). ROS cause a number of non-enzymatic protein modifications, such as carbonylation. Carbonylated proteins in DCs in response to hapten have not been fully identified yet. To identify the proteins carbonylated by ROS, murine epidermis-derived DC line XS106 was challenged with a hapten, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) was one of the carbonylated proteins induced by TNBS. To verify the role of HSP70 in TNBS-treated XS106 cell, we fused protein transduction domain (PTD) with HSP70 to facilitate protein delivery into the cell. The transfected fusion protein HSP70 within the cell caused transient increase of the cellular level of HSP70. Transient increase of HSP70 level in XS-106 DCs resulted in inhibition of ROS production, carbonylation of HSP70, p38 MAPK activation and subsequently IL-12 secretion. To investigate the effects of PTD-HSP70 in vivo, ear-swelling experiments with 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) were performed in BALB/c mice. Pretreatment of PTD-HSP70 reduced the CHS response to TNCB in vivo. We report here that carbonylation of HSP70 by ROS is associated with the pathogenesis of CHS, suggesting possibility of HSP70-targeting therapy in CHS.


Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Protein Carbonylation , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line , Dermatitis, Contact/immunology , Dermatitis, Contact/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Haptens/immunology , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred A , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Picryl Chloride/chemistry , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Transfection , Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid/immunology , p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
13.
J Laryngol Otol ; 126(9): 942-5, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22784813

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unless the orbital contents are supported, the insertion of nasal packing material during endoscopic endonasal surgery may cause serious intracranial complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: We report a patient with iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea caused by intracranial entry of a Silastic sheet inserted into the nasal cavity. This skull defect and the surrounding skull base were successfully reconstructed in a multilayer fashion via an endoscopic endonasal approach. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need for caution when inserting nasal packing material. During endoscopic endonasal reduction of blowout fractures, great care must be taken to support the orbital contents, in order to avoid serious intracranial complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage.


Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea/etiology , Endoscopy/adverse effects , Hemostatic Techniques/adverse effects , Orbital Fractures/surgery , Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea/diagnostic imaging , Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea/surgery , Clinical Competence , Device Removal , Dimethylpolysiloxanes/adverse effects , Ethmoid Bone/injuries , Ethmoid Bone/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nasal Cartilages/transplantation , Radiography , Tampons, Surgical/adverse effects
14.
Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg ; 41(1): 103-8, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22000957

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic process based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD) by evaluating agreement between RDC/TMD and MRI diagnosis of disc displacement (DD) and correlation amongst MRI findings such as DD, joint effusion (JE), degenerative change and superior lateral pterygoid muscle (SLPM) attachment. Randomly selected MRIs of 200 joints from 100 TMD patients differentiated into RDC/TMD group II representing DD by clinical examination were reviewed retrospectively. The results show that Cohen's kappa value was 0.336 showing overall disagreement between RDC/TMD group II and MRI diagnoses (P<0.001). The Cohen's kappa value for group IIa, DD with reduction (DDWR), was -0.223 (P<0.01) showing disagreement, whilst the value was 0.546 for group IIb, DD without reduction (DDWOR) with limited opening, and 0.490 for group IIc, DDWOR without limited opening, showing moderate agreement (P<0.001). JE was detected with a higher probability as the state of DD advanced (P<0.001) and when degenerative joint changes were present (P<0.05). The difference of DD according to SLPM attachment was insignificant. MRI could be used when clinical examination cannot predict the true position of the disc.


Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/standards , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Arthralgia/diagnosis , Auscultation , Female , Humans , Joint Dislocations/diagnosis , Male , Mandibular Condyle/pathology , Medical History Taking , Muscular Diseases/diagnosis , Osteoarthritis/diagnosis , Palpation , Pterygoid Muscles/pathology , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Retrospective Studies , Sound , Synovial Fluid , Temporomandibular Joint Disc/pathology , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/classification , Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome/diagnosis
16.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ; 33(2): 348-52, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22051805

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are only a few reports on the feasibility and safety of stents used in the PICA, and clinical and angiographic follow-up results have not been fully addressed. We report our experiences of treating PICA origin or vertebral artery-PICA lesions by using self-expanding stents as adjuvant or rescue therapy with angiographic and clinical follow-up results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients were treated with self-expanding stent placements from the vertebral artery to the PICA. Two patients had a vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm involving the PICA origin, 3 had vertebral artery-PICA aneurysms, and 1 had segmental stenosis of the vertebral artery harboring the origin of the PICA. The safety, feasibility, and follow-up angiographic results were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed without any procedure-related complications. None of the patients showed PICA territorial infarction on DWI posttreatment. All patients were neurologically intact during the clinical follow-up of 3-24 months following the procedure. Follow-up angiography was performed at between 6 and 12 months in 5 of the 6 patients and was scheduled for the sixth patient but was not performed. The PICA showed good patency without in-stent stenosis in all 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with lesions of the PICA origin or vertebral artery-PICA lesions, vertebral artery-to-PICA stent placement may be an option for preserving PICA patency in selected cases.


Subject(s)
Cerebellum/blood supply , Cerebral Arterial Diseases/surgery , Cerebral Arteries/surgery , Endovascular Procedures , Stents , Vertebral Artery/surgery , Aged , Cerebral Arterial Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Feasibility Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radiography , Retrospective Studies
17.
Clin Exp Dermatol ; 36(5): 512-20, 2011 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21631571

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Type I interferon (IFN) has been reported to have an important role in the development of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A new subset of CD4+ T cells, T helper (Th)17 cells, also plays a role in the development of autoimmunity. AIM: To investigate expression of interleukin (IL)-17 and IFN-α in different CLE subsets, and their associations with the pathogenesis of LE. METHODS: Skin tissue samples from 33 cases, including chronic discoid LE (n = 24), acute (A)CLE (n = 4), subacute CLE (n = 1) and lupus panniculitis (n = 4) were collected for immunohistochemistry. Expression of IL-6, IL-17A, IFN-α, IFN-γ, myxovirus protein (Mx)A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß was assessed in these samples. RESULTS: All LE specimens had staining for IL-6 and TGF-ß in the infiltrated inflammatory cells. IL-17A staining was seen in 84.8% of specimens, and IFN-α or MxA was seen in 93.9%. TGF-ß expression in ACLE was significantly greater than that in both chronic cutaneous (CC)LE and in lupus panniculitis (P = 0.02 for both). Expression of IL-17A was positively associated with expression of IFN-α and MxA (Spearman's ρ = 0.56 and 0.39, respectively). In addition, the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) correlated positively with expression of IFN-α and MxA (ρ = 0.40 for both), whereas there was no correlation with IL-17A expression. CONCLUSIONS: Two major cytokines, IL-17A and IFN-α, may play roles in the pathogenesis of CLE. Their patterns of expression positively correlated with each other.


Subject(s)
Interferon-alpha/metabolism , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Autoantibodies/analysis , Cytokines/metabolism , Female , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous/pathology , Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus/immunology , Severity of Illness Index , Skin/immunology , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Young Adult
18.
Br J Dermatol ; 164(3): 573-9, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21143465

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a chronic dermatosis that is usually confined to the face. A pulsed dye laser (PDL) system has been proven to be effective in treating rosacea-associated erythema and telangiectasias. Niacin is a cutaneous vasodilator that can increase the chromophore through increased blood flow. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that increased blood flow by pretreatment with topical niacin could enhance the effect of PDL in the treatment of rosacea. METHODS: Eighteen Korean patients with rosacea were recruited. Three sessions of 585-nm PDL using a subpurpuragenic dose with and without pretreatment with niacin cream were performed on randomly assigned half-faces at 3-week intervals. Erythema was assessed objectively by a polarization colour imaging system, and evaluations were also made by three blinded dermatologists. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a 10-point visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Fifteen patients completed this study. All patients showed an improvement in erythema after three sessions of PDL treatment both with and without niacin pretreatment (P = 0·023 and P = 0·009, respectively). There was no significant difference in the improvement of objective erythema between the two sides. However, based on physician assessment the overall clinical improvement on the niacin side was significantly higher (P = 0·005), and patient satisfaction was also higher on the niacin-pretreated side (P = 0·007). There were no remarkable side-effects, with the exception of transient erythema and oedema. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with topical niacin safely enhanced the effect of 585-nm PDL treatment of rosacea-associated erythema in Koreans. Application of niacin can be helpful in overcoming the relatively lower effect of subpurpuragenic PDL in dark-skinned Asians.


Subject(s)
Erythema/drug therapy , Erythema/radiotherapy , Low-Level Light Therapy , Niacin/therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy/methods , Rosacea/complications , Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Adult , Asian People , Erythema/etiology , Female , Humans , Korea , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Prospective Studies
19.
Prenat Diagn ; 30(8): 734-8, 2010 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20661886

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the usefulness of shortening of the fetal femur length (FL) to predict Down syndrome at different gestational ages in Korean subjects. METHODS: This study involved 110 Korean Down syndrome fetuses and 602 randomly selected euploid controls. The expected FL for any biparietal diameter (BPD) was calculated based on the control group data. Subjects were divided into four groups according to gestational age periods: 14-18 weeks; 19-23 weeks; 24-28 weeks and 29-36 weeks. The value of measured/expected FL ratio to predict Down syndrome was analyzed for each group. RESULTS: The values of FL for any BPD in Down syndrome patients were significantly different from those in the control group (p < 0.001). A low ratio of measured/expected FL increased the risk of fetal Down syndrome (p < 0.001) with a mean measured/expected FL in Down syndrome of 0.907 (SD 0.075). At a fixed false positive rate of 5%, the sensitivities of FL were lower than 32.8% (95% CI 0.705-0.915) in three second trimester groups, and 71.1% (95% CI 0.924-0.997) in the third trimester group. CONCLUSION: Short FL is a poor marker of Down syndrome in the second trimester in Korean subject. It may be used as a screening marker only in the third trimester.


Subject(s)
Down Syndrome/embryology , Femur/embryology , Fetus/anatomy & histology , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Adult , Down Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Female , Femur/anatomy & histology , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Korea , Male , Pregnancy , ROC Curve , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/standards
20.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry ; 81(5): 479-84, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19726404

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors predisposing to aneurysm rupture and to provide a reliable estimation for likelihood of rupture in unruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The authors performed a nested case-control study of 290 aneurysms (123 unruptured aneurysms and 167 ruptured aneurysms) occurring during a prospective cohort study in 1493 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed intracranial aneurysm and were treated in a single institute between January 1995 and December 2006. Controls were matched for age, treatment group, number of lesion, sex, region and study period in which the incidence of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysm was equivalently balanced. The authors assessed the predictive risk factors associated with aneurysmal rupture based on the clinical and angiographic findings reported in the patients' medical records. RESULTS: Between January 1997 and December 2002, 167 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms were assigned to group 1, and 123 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms during the same period were assigned to group 2. Aspect ratio (OR 3.76), maximum diameter of neck (N(max)) < or =3 mm (OR 2.56) and family history of cerebrovascular disease (OR 5.63) were strongly correlated with aneurysm rupture (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are differences between the clinical and intrinsic characteristics of patients with unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysm. It will be helpful to make rational decisions regarding the optimal therapeutic strategy for unruptured intracranial aneurysm.


Subject(s)
Aneurysm, Ruptured/epidemiology , Aneurysm, Ruptured/pathology , Intracranial Aneurysm/epidemiology , Intracranial Aneurysm/pathology , Adult , Aged , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Analysis of Variance , Autoradiography , Case-Control Studies , Cerebral Angiography , Female , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Neurosurgical Procedures , Patient Selection , Predictive Value of Tests , ROC Curve , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Smoking/epidemiology
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