We present an uncommon case (female patient aged 59 years) of the clear-cell variant of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) (also known as Pindborg tumor) in the mandible. The clinical characteristics and probable origins of the clear tumor cells of previously reported cases of clear-cell variant of intraosseous CEOT are also summarized and discussed.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratins ; analysis ; Mandibular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Odontogenic Tumors ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVES: The global burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising. An alternative term, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), instead highlights the associated metabolic risks. This cohort study examined patient classifications under NAFLD and MAFLD criteria and their associations with all-cause mortality. METHODS: Participants who attended a paid health check-up (2012-2015) were included. Hepatic steatosis (HS) was diagnosed ultrasonographically. NAFLD was defined as HS without secondary causes, while MAFLD involved HS with overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or ≥2 metabolic dysfunctions. Mortality was tracked via the Taiwan Death Registry until November 30, 2022. RESULTS: Of 118,915 participants, 36.9% had NAFLD, 40.2% had MAFLD, and 32.9% met both definitions. Participants with NAFLD alone had lower mortality, and those with MAFLD alone had higher mortality, than individuals with both conditions. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality were 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78 to 1.48) for NAFLD alone and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.47) for MAFLD alone, relative to both conditions. Advanced fibrosis conferred greater mortality risk, with HRs of 1.93 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.58) and 2.08 (95% CI, 1.61 to 2.70) for advanced fibrotic NAFLD and MAFLD, respectively. Key mortality risk factors for NAFLD and MAFLD included older age, unmarried status, higher body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and advanced fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS All-cause mortality in NAFLD and/or MAFLD was linked to cardiometabolic covariates, with risk attenuated after multivariable adjustment. A high fibrosis-4 index score, indicating fibrosis, could identify fatty liver disease cases involving elevated mortality risk.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a mucopolysaccharide that occurs naturally throughout the human body, where it attaches to collagen and elastin to form cartilage, and also helps maintain the strength and flexibility of the cartilage that cushions joints. A decline in HA synthesis may lead to a variety of symptoms, ranging from joint discomfort, to wrinkles. Cross-linked HA is a viscoelastic solid that resists in vivo degradation by hyaluronidase for much longer than endogenous HA, and which is also a key ingredient in various cosmetics. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with three kinds of Elravie(R) fillers. METHODS: We obtained images of filler shape using a folliscope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to compare particle sizes. Hydrophilic filler is a hydroxyl, and for this reason, we mixed the filler with water. Next, PARKER ink was added to the mixture, and viscosity and elasticity were measured using a rheometer. RESULTS: Among the tested fillers, particle size was largest in the Restylane(R) SubQ. Elravie(R) ultra volume filler was greater in volume than Elravie(R) deep line, and Elravie(R) light fillers. We confirmed Elravie(R) fillers to be hydrophilic. Elravie(R) ultra volume filler was found to have the highest viscosity and elasticity, whilst Elravie(R) light filler had the lowest. CONCLUSION: All three kinds of Elravie(R) fillers were found to be suitable for human cosmetic use.
Cartilage ; Collagen ; Elasticity ; Elastin ; Human Body ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase ; Ink ; Joints ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Particle Size ; Pliability ; Viscosity ; Water

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between -1438A/G polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene and schizophrenia in Korean and Han Chinese population. METHODS: A sample of 184 Korean patients with schizophrenia and 96 Korean healthy normal controls and 96 Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia and 96 Han-Chinese healthy normal controls were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism with in 5-HT2A receptor gene (promoter region, A-1438G) by Msp I Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: There was no difference in allelic frequencies and genotype frequencies of -1438A/G polymorphism between Korean schizophrenics and controls (p=0.13) and Han Chinese schizophrenics and controls (p=0.40). Also, -1438A/G polymorphism did not show ethnical difference between Korean and Han Chinese controls. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) scores showed no significant differences between genotypes of -1438A/G polymorphism in both of Korean and Han Chinese schizophrenics. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that -1438A/G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not causally related to the development of schizophrenia in Korean and Han Chinese population, and there no ethnic difference between Korean and Han Chinese population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A* ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between -1438A/G polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene and schizophrenia in Korean and Han Chinese population. METHODS: A sample of 184 Korean patients with schizophrenia and 96 Korean healthy normal controls and 96 Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia and 96 Han-Chinese healthy normal controls were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism with in 5-HT2A receptor gene (promoter region, A-1438G) by Msp I Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: There was no difference in allelic frequencies and genotype frequencies of -1438A/G polymorphism between Korean schizophrenics and controls (p=0.13) and Han Chinese schizophrenics and controls (p=0.40). Also, -1438A/G polymorphism did not show ethnical difference between Korean and Han Chinese controls. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) scores showed no significant differences between genotypes of -1438A/G polymorphism in both of Korean and Han Chinese schizophrenics. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that -1438A/G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not causally related to the development of schizophrenia in Korean and Han Chinese population, and there no ethnic difference between Korean and Han Chinese population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A* ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVES: Information regarding the underlying causes of death (UCODs) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of dementia is instrumental in formulating medical strategies to prolong life in persons with dementia (PWD). We examined the leading UCODs among PWD and estimated the overall and cause-specific SMRs in relation to dementia in Taiwan. METHODS: Data were retrieved from 2 national datasets: the Taiwan Death Registry and the medical claim datasets of the National Health Insurance program. The observed person-years for each study participant were counted from the date of cohort enrollment to either the date of death or the final day of 2016. Sex-specific and age-specific SMRs were then calculated. RESULTS: The leading UCOD was circulatory disease, accounting for 26.0% of total deaths (n=3,505), followed by respiratory disease at 21.3% (n=2,875). PWD were at significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (SMR, 2.01), with SMR decreasing with advancing age. A cause-specific analysis revealed that the highest SMRs were associated with nervous system diseases (SMR, 7.58) and mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders (SMR, 4.80). Age appeared to modify SMR, suggesting that younger age at cohort enrollment was linked to higher SMRs for nearly all causes of mortality. CONCLUSIONS Circulatory and respiratory diseases were the leading UCODs among PWD. The particularly elevated mortality due to nervous system diseases and mental disorders suggests that allocating more resources to neurological and psychiatric services is warranted. The elevated SMRs of various UCODs among younger PWD underscore the need for clinicians to pay particular attention to the medical care provided to these patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a carbohydrate, occurring naturally throughout the human body. With linear polysaccharide structure, it is (HA) found in soft connective tissues, cartilage and joinfluids. Hyaluronic acid filler is used for treatment of depth of the fold or volume of filler needed and performed for wrinkle improvement and cosmetic. We did property of matter for the Perfectha(R) fillers. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to describe and comment on our experiences with two kinds of Perfectha(R) fillers. METHODS: We obtained image of the shape of fillers using a folliscope, VC98 and particle size using the Scanning electron microscope (SEM). We tested to make sure that affinity both fillers with water. We mixed the fillers and distilled water. We the PARKER ink added to the mixture. Viscosity and elasticity were measured using a rheometer. RESULTS: The test revealed that a particle sized Perfectha(R) derm deep is bigger than a Perfectha(R) derm. We were confirmed as hydrophile. While Perfectha(R) derm deep filler has high viscosity and elasticity, Perfectha(R) derm filler has high viscosity only, not elasticity. CONCLUSION: Two kinds of Perfectha(R) fillers act as space filler by binding to water and thus keeping the skin wrinkle-free.
Cartilage ; Connective Tissue ; Elasticity ; Human Body ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Ink ; Particle Size ; Skin ; Viscosity ; Water

INTRODUCTIONThere is no single method of measuring insulin resistance that is both accurate and can be easily performed by general researchers. We validate the accuracy of oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) in the Chinese by comparing the OGIS120 and OGIS180, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (OUICKI) with steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) in different glucose tolerance subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe enrolled 515 subjects, aged between 20 and 75 years old, during routine health evaluations. All subjects were divided into normal, obese, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) groups. Participants had a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and SSPG with an insulin suppression test. The relationships between SSPG and OGIS120, OGIS180, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI were evaluated.

RESULTSThe normal group had the highest OGIS120, OGIS180 and lowest SSPG as compared with the other 4 groups. OGIS180, HOMA-IR and QUICKI in all 5 groups were significantly related to SSPG (r = 0.397-0.621, all P <0.05). OGIS120 in all 5 groups was not significantly related to SSPG (r = 0.003-0.226). Additionally, the r value of OGIS180 against SSPG was not higher than the other 2 insulin sensitivity surrogates from OGTT.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough OGIS180 was more accurate in estimating insulin sensitivity than OGIS120 in the Chinese, it was not superior to the traditional surrogates such as HOMA-IR or QUICKI.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; methods ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prediabetic State ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study investigated predictive factors for severe neonatal thrombocytopenia, which greatly increases the need for intensive care and is associated with a high mortality rate in premature infants. Factors adopted for prompt identification of at-risk newborns include blood test results and birth history. This study analyzed the relationship between the presence of severe neonatal thrombocytopenia and the mortality rate. The causes of thrombocytopenia in premature infants were also examined. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 625 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Chung-Ang University Medical Center. The neonates were classified into 3 groups according to the severity of thrombocytopenia: mild (100×10⁹/L≤platelet < 150×10⁹/L), moderate (50×10⁹/L≤platelet < 100×10⁹/L), or severe (platelet < 50×10⁹/L). Analysis of blood samples obtained at the onset of thrombocytopenia included platelet count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit level, absolute neutrophil count, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level. RESULTS: Of the 625 premature infants admitted to our NICU, 214 were detected with thrombocytopenia. The mortality rate in thrombocytopenic neonates was 18.2% (39/214), whereas a mortality rate of only 1.0% was observed in non-thrombocytopenic neonates. The major causes of thrombocytopenia were perinatal insufficiency and sepsis in premature infants. Severe thrombocytopenia was noted more frequently in premature infants with higher WBC counts and in those with a younger gestational age. CONCLUSION: Platelet count, WBC count, and gestational age are reliable predictors for severe neonatal thrombocytopenia. The major causes of thrombocytopenia were perinatal insufficiency and sepsis in premature infants.
Academic Medical Centers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Classification ; Critical Care ; Gestational Age ; Hematocrit ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukocytes ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Platelet Count ; Reproductive History ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune