Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare diasease characterized by chronic infiltration of the lung with ~eosinophils, usually associated with peripheral eosinophilia. In 65% of cases, the chest rad Ogroaph shows typiical nonsegmental air-space consolidation confined to the outer third of the lung and in 25)/0 of case "photographic negative of pulmonary edema". Typical lung manifestations with 'peripheral eosinophiliSa' tahrcharacteristic of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. In the remaining cases, radiographic findings are nonspecific and require lung biopsy for confirmation. We repot a case of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in which chest radiograph and CT scans revealed bilateral patchy or diffuse opacity with nodules scattered throughout the lungs.
Biopsy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Lung ; Pulmonary Eosinophilia* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Entrapment of the extensor pollicis longus tendon is reported rarely on Smith's fractures in children. In our case, a 15 year old boy with Smith's fracture received treatment of closed reduction at another hospital. When he visited our hospital, a wide gap at the fracture site was detected on radiograph and the thumb movement was limited. We have doubt the entrapment of the soft tissue, especially the tendon. We decided on open reduction. In the operation field, entrapment of the extensor pollicis longus tendon at the gap of the fracture site was found through dorsal approach. In addition, fracture treatment with K-wire fixation after reduction of extensonr pollicis longus tendon reduction was done. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the literatures.
Child ; Humans ; Tendons ; Thumb

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used medications in Korea. Gastrointestinal toxicity, including peptic ulcer, is a common adverse effect of NSAIDs. Risk factors for NSAID-related peptic ulcer include a previous history of peptic ulcer, advanced age, high dose, concomitant use of corticosteroids, anticoagulants, other NSAIDs including low-dose aspirin. Preventive measure(s), such as COX-2 inhibitor, proton pump inhibitor or misoprostrol, should be done for patients requiring NSAID therapy who have high-risk factor(s) for peptic ulcer. Low dose aspirin also increases the risk of peptic ulcer, so preventive measure(s) should be done for high-risk patients. The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is recommended for high-risk NSAID-users. Treatment strategies for peptic ulcers in NSAID users are mostly the same for peptic ulcers in NSAID non-users.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*adverse effects ; Anti-Ulcer Agents/therapeutic use ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects ; Aspirin/*adverse effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Misoprostol/therapeutic use ; Peptic Ulcer/drug therapy/prevention & control/*therapy ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use

Objective: People vaccinated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) mRNA vaccine have reported experiencing various adverse effects. For instance, reproductive-age women have presented with complaints of abnormal uterine bleeding or menstrual cycle changes. We speculated that differences in basal sex hormone levels before and after vaccination may be present in women who experienced irregular bleeding or menstrual cycle changes; thus, this study aimed to investigate the differences in basal sex hormone levels of women before and after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who received SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines between January 2021 and February 2022 at a single center. In an outpatient setting, patients were queried regarding their menstrual cycle, the date of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, vaccination type, and vaccination side effects. Differences in basal hormone levels (menstrual cycle days 2–3, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and estradiol) before and after vaccination were compared. Results: Among the 326 patients, patients with no laboratory records of the hormones were excluded. The median time interval between SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and the laboratory test day was 79 days (interquartile range, 44 to 127). A comparative analysis of these hormones before and after vaccination revealed no significant differences. Subgroup analyses based on age and reported adverse events also found no statistically significant differences. Conclusion This study showed no significant differences in basal hormone levels (FSH, LH, and estradiol) before and after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

Purpose: Radiation-induced oral mucositis limits delivery of high-dose radiation to targeted cancers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a treatment strategy to alleviate radiation-induced oral mucositis during radiation therapy. We previously reported that inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation suppresses autophagy. Irradiation induces autophagy, suggesting that antioxidant treatment may be used to inhibit radiation-induced oral mucositis. Materials and Methods: We determined whether treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) could attenuate radiation-induced buccal mucosa damage in vitro and in vivo. The protective effects of NAC against oral mucositis were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. mRNA and protein levels of DNA damage and autophagy-related genes were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: Rats manifesting radiation-induced oral mucositis showed decreased oral intake, loss of body weight, and low survival rate. NAC intake slightly increased oral intake, body weight, and the survival rate without statistical significance. However, histopathologic characteristics were markedly restored in NAC-treated irradiated rats. LC3B staining of rat buccal mucosa revealed that NAC treatment significantly decreased the number of radiation-induced autophagic cells. Further, NAC inhibited radiation-induced ROS generation and autophagy signaling. In vitro, NAC treatment significantly reduced the expression of NRF2, LC3B, p62, and Beclin-1 in keratinocytes compared with that after radiation treatment. Conclusion NAC treatment significantly inhibited radiation-induced autophagy in keratinocytes and rat buccal mucosa and may be a potentially safe and effective option for the prevention of radiation-induced buccal mucosa damage.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of nicotine on the healing of an oral cavity wound, high and low concentrations of nicotine were administered on human gingival fibroblasts. Methods: Nicotine at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM were administered to gingival fibroblasts to evaluate the survival capability of the cells. Nicotine at 0.1 mM, a nonapoptotic concentration, was administered to evaluate apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide cell staining.Nicotine at 1, 10, and 100 mM were administered to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. FGF was treated with an additional 1, 10, or 100 mM of nicotine to evaluate cell proliferation and wound healing. Results: As the concentration of nicotine increased (0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mM), the survival capability of the cells reduced. When cells were exposed to low nicotine concentration (0.1 mM) for 24 h, apoptosis occurred. Moreover, if the cell was exposed for 48 h, cell apoptosis occurred with necrosis. As the concentration of nicotine increased (1, 10, and 100 mM), more inflammatory cytokines were expressed. When EC LPS and TF LPS were combined with a low concentration of nicotine (1 and 10 mM), the expression of inflammatory cytokines was suppressed. The FGF level decreased as the nicotine concentration increased (1, 10, and 100 mM). Conclusions Nicotine interferes with the wound healing process of gingival fibroblasts. To maintain the wound healing process after a surgery or dental procedure, cessation of smoking is recommended.

Heterotopic pancreas is a tissue histologically similar to normal pancreatic tissue found in a location other than the usual place, and having no anatomic or vascular connection with the pancreas itself. Heterotopic pancreas is usually asymptomatic and found incidentally. However, it can cause problems such as abdominal pain, melena, anemia, and severe bleeding. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding caused by heterotopic pancreas located in Meckel's diverticulum. Gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy showed no bleeding focus. By capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy, a bleeding focus was suspected in the ileum. The patient received a laparoscopic resection of the Meckel's diverticulum. Pathologic examination revealed heterotopic pancreatic tissue within the muscular layer of the diverticulum. The patient recovered well without further bleeding.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Anemia ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Colonoscopy ; Diverticulum ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Ileum ; Meckel Diverticulum ; Melena ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Pancreas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The management of asymptomatic erosive esophagitis is controversial. We surveyed physicians' opinions on asymptomatic erosive esophagitis using e-mail. METHODS: All members of the Korean Society of Neurogastro-enterology and Motility were invited to answer the questionnaire on the treatment and follow-up of patients with asymptomatic erosive esophagitis by e-mail. RESULTS: A total of 73 members answered the questionnaire (response rate, 18%). As initial management, 41% of respondents chose pharmacologic treatment, whereas 59% chose nonpharmacologic treatment. In the case of pharmacologic treatment, proton pump inhibitors were the preferred medication. The most common treatment duration was 4 weeks (43%), followed by 8 weeks (38%), and 6 months (11%). Sixty-two percent of the respondents recommended follow-up endoscopy annually, whereas 29% chose no endoscopic follow-up. Thirty-four percent of the respondents answered that they would talk about reflux-related sleep disturbances. Only 25% of the respondents explained the possibility of Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma to their patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial practice variations in the management of asymptomatic erosive esophagitis in Korea.
Adenocarcinoma ; Asymptomatic Diseases ; Barrett Esophagus ; Data Collection ; Electronic Mail ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged women. METHODS: Three hundred eight premenopausal women were included in this study, including 268 women without MS and 40 women confirmed to have MS according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Clinical markers including anthropometric parameters, the serum lipid profile, and glucose level were determined and analyzed with the BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in femoral neck or lumbar BMD between the controls and women with MS. In correlation tests, the body mass index (BMI) showed a significant association with the femoral (r = 0.209, P < 0.001) and lumbar BMD (r = 0.176, P = 0.002). In addition, the waist circumference (WC) was also significantly correlated with the femoral (r = 0.142, P = 0.012) and lumbar BMD (r = 0.113, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: The BMI and WC showed a significant positive association with the femoral and lumbar spine BMD in premenopausal women. Further studies with a large population will be needed to elucidate the combined effect of MS on BMD in middle-aged women.
Biomarkers ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Glucose ; Humans ; Spine ; Waist Circumference

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. In the last decade, GERD has been increasing in Korea. Seventeen consensus statements for the treatment of GERD were developed using the modified Delphi approach. Acid suppression treatments, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histmine-2 receptor antagonists and antacids are effective in the control of GERD-related symptoms. Among them, PPIs are the most effective medication. Standard dose PPI is recommended as the initial treatment of erosive esophagitis (for 8 weeks) and non-erosive reflux disease (at least for 4 weeks). Long-term continuous PPI or on-demand therapy is required for the majority of GERD patients after the initial treatment. Anti-reflux surgery can be considered in well selected patients. Prokinetic agents and mucosal protective drugs have limited roles. Twice daily PPI therapy can be tried to control extra-esophageal symptoms of GERD. For symptomatic patients with Barrett's esophagus, long-term treatment with PPI is required. Further studies are strongly needed to develop better treatment strategies for Korean patients with GERD.
Antacids/therapeutic use ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/surgery/*therapy ; Histamine Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxants, Central/therapeutic use ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use