Synovial sarcoma most commonly affects the extremities, especially the lower thigh and knee region. However, a smaller number develops in a central or axial distribution, an area which encompasses the trunk, orofacial, cervical and parapharyngeal regions. The retroperitoneum is an extremely unusual site and has never been recorded in the literature as primary a site for synovial sarcoma. We investigated a case of retroperitoneal synovial sarcoma in a 40-year-old woman. The specimen consisted of fragmented large bulky multinodular masses separated by slit-like spaces. The tumor was 130 gm in weight. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of nests of plump ovoid to polygonal shaped cells and bundles of spindle shaped cells, which had vesicular nuclei and a small amount of cytoplasm. In some areas, there were cleft like spaces and pseudoglandular structures lined by flat or cuboidal cells. Myxoid change, collagen deposition, foci of calcification and osseous metaplasia were also present. Immunohistochemically, the polygonal cells and some of the spindle cells reacted positively for keratin. The spindle cells, especially in the perivascular area were positive for vimentin. S-100 protein and GFAP were negative in both type of cells.
Female ; Humans

Purpose: Although basophils are major effector cells involved in asthma, their pathophysiological role in asthma remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the relationship between blood basophils, clinical features in asthmatics, and cytokines in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) which could be noninvasively obtained. Methods: A total of 13 adult asthmatics were prospectively enrolled. We obtained information on demographics, asthma control levels, history of acute exacerbation as well as the asthma control test and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA) scores. Peripheral blood and EBC samples were collected, and pulmonary function test was also performed. The association between blood basophil count and clinical feature and severity of asthma or inflammatory cytokines in EBC was analyzed. Results: The percentage of blood basophils was positively correlated with that of blood eosinophils (Spearman r=0.665, P=0.013). The number of acute exacerbations was significantly larger (1.2±0.6 vs. 5.3±5.8, P=0.049) in the group with blood basophils ≥50 cells/μL, while the QLQAKA score was lower (68.8±7.9 vs. 49.0±12.0, P=0.028). There were no significant differences in age, atopy status, smoking history, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second according to blood basophil count. Blood basophil count was positively correlated with interleukin-33 (IL-33) (r=0.651, P=0.016) and IL-17 (r=0.732, P=0.004) in EBC. Conclusion Blood basophils may be associated with frequent asthma exacerbations and lower quality of life due to asthma. IL-33 and IL-17 may be the key mediators that stimulate basophils to participate in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Bee pollen is a mixture of pollen, nectar collected by honeybees, and digestive enzymes secreted from honeybees, which is consumed as a dietary supplement. We experienced a case of anaphylaxis after ingestion of bee pollen in a patient with seasonal allergic rhinitis and oral allergy syndrome caused by watermelons, Korean melons, peaches, and plums. The skin prick test was positive for bee pollen, dandelion, ragweed, and mugwort, and specific IgE to honeybee venom was negative. According to the literature, bee pollen causing systemic allergic reactions mainly consists of the plant family Compositae, including dandelion, ragweed, and mugwort. Thus, ingestion of bee pollen should be closely monitored in patients with allergic rhinitis worsening in autumn, especially those with oral allergy syndrome for foods that cross-react with weed pollen.

Aspirin has been used for decades for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effect of aspirin in secondary prevention is well-known but is still debatable for primary prevention. Despite the controversy, aspirin is believed to have a beneficial effect in primary prevention and has been widely used. However, whether the doubts concerning the wide use of aspirin are correct has resulted in the publication of data from several large clinical trials recently. There are several clinical guidelines from various international organizations on the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of CVD, and they offer some conflicting recommendations. A reduction in the overall incidence of CVD with the development of modern prevention therapies has weakened the impact of aspirin in primary prevention. Large randomized clinical trials have found decreased or no difference in CVD events but a significant increase in the risk of bleeding. Taking aspirin for the primary prevention of CVD is no longer recommended, especially for patients who have a low to moderate risk. An assessment of the balance between the benefits and risks of aspirin use should be considered.
Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Primary Prevention ; Publications ; Risk Assessment ; Secondary Prevention

Objective: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), which involves deliberate harm to body tissues without suicidal intent, represents an escalating clinical concern. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the differences in functional connectivity (FC) patterns in patients with depression with and without a history of NSSI. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with mood disorders experiencing major depressive episodes were categorized into NSSI (Group A; n = 31) and non-NSSI (Group B; n = 46) groups on the basis of their NSSI history. EEG data were collected and FC was analyzed using coherence (Coh), imaginary coherence (iCoh), and phase-locking value (PLV) metrics. Network indices based on graph theory were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics and scale scores were compared between groups A and B. Results: While the two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics such as age and diagnosis, the Beck Depression Inventory and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) scores were higher in Group A. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed associations of NSSI with sex and the SIQ score. We examined the connectivity of 1,326 pairs of signals across six frequency bands, yielding 7,956 signal pairs. The two groups showed no significant differences in the Coh, iCoh, corrected PLV, or network indices but showed significant differences in all the frequency bands when an uncorrected t test was used. Conclusion In this study, FC differences in depression with and without NSSI were not observed. Further well-controlled research is expected to clarify neurobiological underpinnings and guide future interventions.

Objective: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), which involves deliberate harm to body tissues without suicidal intent, represents an escalating clinical concern. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the differences in functional connectivity (FC) patterns in patients with depression with and without a history of NSSI. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with mood disorders experiencing major depressive episodes were categorized into NSSI (Group A; n = 31) and non-NSSI (Group B; n = 46) groups on the basis of their NSSI history. EEG data were collected and FC was analyzed using coherence (Coh), imaginary coherence (iCoh), and phase-locking value (PLV) metrics. Network indices based on graph theory were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics and scale scores were compared between groups A and B. Results: While the two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics such as age and diagnosis, the Beck Depression Inventory and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) scores were higher in Group A. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed associations of NSSI with sex and the SIQ score. We examined the connectivity of 1,326 pairs of signals across six frequency bands, yielding 7,956 signal pairs. The two groups showed no significant differences in the Coh, iCoh, corrected PLV, or network indices but showed significant differences in all the frequency bands when an uncorrected t test was used. Conclusion In this study, FC differences in depression with and without NSSI were not observed. Further well-controlled research is expected to clarify neurobiological underpinnings and guide future interventions.

Objective: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), which involves deliberate harm to body tissues without suicidal intent, represents an escalating clinical concern. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the differences in functional connectivity (FC) patterns in patients with depression with and without a history of NSSI. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with mood disorders experiencing major depressive episodes were categorized into NSSI (Group A; n = 31) and non-NSSI (Group B; n = 46) groups on the basis of their NSSI history. EEG data were collected and FC was analyzed using coherence (Coh), imaginary coherence (iCoh), and phase-locking value (PLV) metrics. Network indices based on graph theory were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics and scale scores were compared between groups A and B. Results: While the two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics such as age and diagnosis, the Beck Depression Inventory and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) scores were higher in Group A. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed associations of NSSI with sex and the SIQ score. We examined the connectivity of 1,326 pairs of signals across six frequency bands, yielding 7,956 signal pairs. The two groups showed no significant differences in the Coh, iCoh, corrected PLV, or network indices but showed significant differences in all the frequency bands when an uncorrected t test was used. Conclusion In this study, FC differences in depression with and without NSSI were not observed. Further well-controlled research is expected to clarify neurobiological underpinnings and guide future interventions.

Objective: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), which involves deliberate harm to body tissues without suicidal intent, represents an escalating clinical concern. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the differences in functional connectivity (FC) patterns in patients with depression with and without a history of NSSI. Methods: Seventy-seven patients with mood disorders experiencing major depressive episodes were categorized into NSSI (Group A; n = 31) and non-NSSI (Group B; n = 46) groups on the basis of their NSSI history. EEG data were collected and FC was analyzed using coherence (Coh), imaginary coherence (iCoh), and phase-locking value (PLV) metrics. Network indices based on graph theory were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics and scale scores were compared between groups A and B. Results: While the two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics such as age and diagnosis, the Beck Depression Inventory and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) scores were higher in Group A. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed associations of NSSI with sex and the SIQ score. We examined the connectivity of 1,326 pairs of signals across six frequency bands, yielding 7,956 signal pairs. The two groups showed no significant differences in the Coh, iCoh, corrected PLV, or network indices but showed significant differences in all the frequency bands when an uncorrected t test was used. Conclusion In this study, FC differences in depression with and without NSSI were not observed. Further well-controlled research is expected to clarify neurobiological underpinnings and guide future interventions.

Thirty cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were examined immunohistochemically for expression of transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) in order to analyze significant correlation with clinical stage and pathologic grade of gastric adenocarcinoma. Specific immunostaining was clearly detected in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells. The TGF-,6 expression in the gastric adenocarcinoma is closely related to the depth of invasion, the degree of invasiveness and the presence of metastasis. Thus, we observed the stronger immunohistochemical. expression of TGF-beta in the deeper portion of invasion and in the invasive gastric adenocarcinomas with the lymph nodal metastasis than in the superficial portion of invasion and in those without the lymph nodal metastasis. There results suggest that the transforming growth factors expression in carcinoma cells may play an important role in the carcinomatous invasion resulting in metastasis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Allopurinol is one of the causative drugs that induce fixed drug eruption (FDE). The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is a safe and reliable diagnostic procedure for drug allergy, but is reported to be rarely positive in patients with FDE. In the current case, we performed an LTT and successfully confirmed allopurinol as the offending drug. This case report suggests that an LTT should be an optional diagnostic tool for FDE or delayed reaction due to allopurinol.
Allopurinol ; Drug Eruptions ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes