PURPOSE: To report a case of primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), of the eyelid. METHODS: A 48-year-old healthy male patient presented with a mass on the upper lid of 2 months in duration. The lesion was reddish, well-demarcated, oval shaped, and measured approximately 8 x 4 mm. The mass did not respond to incisional drainage and intra-lesional triamcinolone. An excisional biopsy for diagnosis was performed. RESULTS: On microscopic examination, a localized dense lymphocytic infiltration was observed in the subepithelial area, and cytologic atypia was observed under high power. On immunohistochemical examination, tumor cells were positive for CD3 but negative for CD20, CD30, CD56, k-light chain immunoglobulin, lambda-light chain immunoglobulin, and increased Ki-67 activity was noted. A histopathological diagnosis of PTCL-NOS was made. CONCLUSIONS: PTCL-NOS, which rarely occurs on the eyelids, commonly accompanies generalized lymphadenopathy and "B symptoms" such as fever and weight loss. Herein, the authors report a case of PTCL-NOS of the eyelid presenting as a rapidly growing solid mass in an otherwise healthy patient.
Biopsy ; Drainage ; Eyelids ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Triamcinolone ; Weight Loss

Speckled lentiginous nevus(SLN) is characterized by a tan background patch on which more darkly pigmented macules and papules are randomly distributed. The presence of agminated Spitz nevi with SLN is well known, but a solitary Spitz nevus arising on a SLN is rare. We herein report a case of SLN with two Spitz nevi developed individually and congenital melanocytic nevus in a 9-year-old boy.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; Nevus* ; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl

Background: Regeneration of soft tissue defects is essential for adipose tissue pathologies and disease, trauma, or injury-induced damage. Here, we show that umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells could potentially be tailored and used for the reconstruction of specific damaged sites. Adipogenesis can be exploited in soft tissue reconstruction. Also, primary cilia play a role in the control of adipogenesis. Methods: The adipogenic differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was shown to influence ciliogenesis. MSCs transfected with intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88) small interfering RNA (siRNA), which blocks the assembly and maintenance of cilia, were examined to confirm the relationship between adipogenesis and ciliogenesis. Also, 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), calcium chelator, inhibited the ciliogenesis of MSCs in adipogenic differentiation. Results: IFT88-knockdown led to decreased cilia formation and limitation of cilia elongation in adipogenesis. Additionally, intracellular calcium triggered cilia formation in MSCs adipogenesis. Interestingly, intracellular calcium cannot overcome the inhibition of adipogenesis caused by low numbers of cilia in MSCs. Conclusion Our data suggested that ciliogenesis was negatively regulated by Wnt5a/β-catenin signaling during adipogenesis. Thus, we suggest that calcium induction triggers adipogenesis and ciliogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic liver disease leads to liver fibrosis, and although the liver does have a certain regenerative capacity, this disease is associated with dysfunction of the liver vessels. C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced in the liver and circulated from there for metabolism. CRP was recently shown to inhibit angiogenesis by inducing endothelial cell dysfunction. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of CRP levels on angiogenesis in a rat model of liver dysfunction induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). METHODS: The diameter of the hepatic vein was analyzed in rat liver tissues using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression levels of angiogenic factors, albumin, and CRP were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. A tube formation assay was performed to confirm the effect of CRP on angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with lithocholic acid (LCA) and siRNA-CRP. RESULTS: The diameter of the hepatic portal vein increased significantly with the progression of cirrhosis. The expression levels of angiogenic factors were increased in the cirrhotic liver. In contrast, the expression levels of albumin and CRP were significantly lower in the liver tissue obtained from the BDL rat model than in the normal liver. The CRP level was correlated with the expression of albumin in hepatocytes treated with LCA and siRNA-CRP. Tube formation was significantly decreased in HUVECs when they were treated with LCA or a combination of LCA and siRNA-CRP. CONCLUSION: CRP seems to be involved in the abnormal formation of vessels in hepatic disease, and so it could be a useful diagnostic marker for hepatic disease.
Angiogenic Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Animals ; Bile Ducts/surgery ; C-Reactive Protein/*analysis/genetics/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatic Veins/abnormalities ; Hepatocytes/cytology/metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Lithocholic Acid/pharmacology ; Liver/metabolism/pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology ; Liver Diseases/metabolism/*pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Mitochondria/drug effects/metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serum Albumin/genetics/metabolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Statin prevents atherosclerotic progression and helps to stabilize the plaque. According to a recent study, statin reduces inflammation in blood vessels. However, it has not been demonstrated to have any anti-inflammation reaction in patients who have been diagnosed as having a triple-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included a total of thirty (30) patients who had been diagnosed by coronary angiogram as having a triple-vessel CAD. Patients who already had been taking statin were given doubled dosage. An interview, physical examination and blood test were performed at the beginning of this study and three months later. RESULTS: After doubling the dose of statin, there was no statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, (increase in) high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood test. C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant, significantly decreased from 0.34 mg/dL at the beginning of the study to 0.12 mg/dL at the end of study (p<0.01). The interleukin-6 concentration also significantly decreased from 8.55 pg/dL to 4.81 pg/dL (p<0.001). No major cardiovascular events occurred and the dosage regimen was not modified during the close observation period. There was no difference in the symptoms of angina pectoris, established by World Health Organization Angina Questionnaires, before and after the dose increase. Liver enzymes remained within normal range with no significant increase before and after conducting this study. CONCLUSION: Doubling the dose of statin alone significantly lowers pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration, which is closely related to the potential acute coronary syndrome, and CRP, a marker of vascular inflammation.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angina Pectoris ; Blood Vessels ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver ; Physical Examination ; Reference Values ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We investigated the prognostic role of volume-based parameters measured on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 patients with LAPC who underwent FDG PET/CT before CRT. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of primary pancreatic cancers were measured on FDG PET/CT scans. Treatment response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: The progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional progression-free survival (LRFPS), and overall survival (OS) for this population were 6.2, 10.9, and 13.2 months, respectively. The overall treatment response rate was 16.7% at 4 weeks after CRT, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 80.0%. DCR was significantly higher in patients with low SUVmax, MTV, or TLG, and showed strong correlation with longer survival times. On univariate analysis, MTV and TLG were significant prognostic factors for PFS, LRPFS, and OS, together with pre-CRT and post-CRT CA19-9 levels. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that MTV together with the pre-CRT CA19-9 level were independent prognostic factors for PFS, LRPFS, and OS, as was TLG for LRPFS and OS. CONCLUSION: MTV and the pre-CRT CA19-9 level provided independent prognostic information in patients with LAPC treated with CRT. Volume-based PET/CT parameters may be useful in identifying which subgroup of patients would benefit from radiation therapy as a part of CRT.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/*diagnostic use ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*therapy ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Survival Analysis ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tumor Burden

Seborrheic keratoses are the most common benign epidermal tumor of the skin and a frequent focus of patient concern because of their variable appearance. Seborrheic keratoses may arise on any non-mucosal surface, including the face, scalp, and trunk. However, it rarely occurs on the ear, especially on the scapha. We report a case of a 42 year-old female patient presenting with 1 cm, brownish pedunculated nodule of seborrheic keratosis on the scapha.
Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Female ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Scalp ; Skin

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is a rare, locally aggressive tumor with a high potential for local recurrence. It usually presents in elderly patients as a solitary, slowly growing, firm, indurated plaque on the face, and particularly on the upper lip or central face. It has occasionally been found in extra-facial locations, including the nipple, axilla and lower extremities, yet scalp involvement has been rarely reported. Histopathologically, it is a poorly circumscribed dermal tumor that shows both follicular and ductal differentiation, and it may extend into the subcutis and skeletal muscle. We report here on a case of microcystic adnexal carcinoma at an unusual site: the scalp. A 42-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of a painful, solitary, 1 cm-sized, firm, fixed, dome-shaped nodule on the scalp, and this was accompanied by ulceration and oozing. A biopsy specimen demonstrated features of microcystic adnexal carcinoma, with both follicular and ductal differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining for CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) was positive in the ductal structures, but this was negative in the follicular structures.
Adult ; Aged ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Nipples ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Ulcer

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is a rare, locally aggressive tumor with a high potential for local recurrence. It usually presents in elderly patients as a solitary, slowly growing, firm, indurated plaque on the face, and particularly on the upper lip or central face. It has occasionally been found in extra-facial locations, including the nipple, axilla and lower extremities, yet scalp involvement has been rarely reported. Histopathologically, it is a poorly circumscribed dermal tumor that shows both follicular and ductal differentiation, and it may extend into the subcutis and skeletal muscle. We report here on a case of microcystic adnexal carcinoma at an unusual site: the scalp. A 42-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of a painful, solitary, 1 cm-sized, firm, fixed, dome-shaped nodule on the scalp, and this was accompanied by ulceration and oozing. A biopsy specimen demonstrated features of microcystic adnexal carcinoma, with both follicular and ductal differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining for CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) was positive in the ductal structures, but this was negative in the follicular structures.
Adult ; Aged ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Nipples ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Ulcer

Background and Objectives: Liver cirrhosis is accompanied by abnormal vascular shunts. The Wnt pathway is essential for endothelial cell survival and proliferation. C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced by hepatocyte, activates angiogenesis in cardiovascular diseases. Methods: and Results: The expression of CRP in CCl 4 -injured rat livers was detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting after transplantation of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) into rats. To determine whether CRP functions in hepatic regeneration by promoting angiogenesis through the Wnt pathway, we detected VEGF and β-catenin in liver tissues and BrdU and β-catenin in hepatocytes by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of CRP, Wnt pathway-related and angiogenic factors were increased in CCl 4 -injured and PD-MSCs transplanted rat livers. In vitro, the expression levels of Wnt signaling and angiogenic factors were decreased in siRNA-CRP-transfected rat hepatocytes. Conclusions CRP upregulation by PD-MSCs participates in vascular remodeling to promote liver regeneration via the Wnt signaling pathway during hepatic failure.