No abstract available.
Leydig Cell Tumor*

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease. Studies have focused on eosinophils for their significant role in the pathogenesis of BP, as they not only secrete proteases and proinflammatory cytokines but also recruit other inflammatory cells. Objective: To investigate the correlation among peripheral eosinophil count, clinical severity, and laboratory findings in patients with BP. Methods: A total of 59 patients with BP were included in this study. Correlation analyses between peripheral eosinophil count and bullous pemphigoid disease activity index (BPDAI) score, duration of hospitalization, anti-bullous pemphigoid antigen 180 (anti-BP180) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, anti-bullous pemphigoid antigen 230 (anti-BP230) IgG antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE), C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin levels were performed. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate whether peripheral eosinophil counts could independently affect the BPDAI score and hospitalization duration. Results: The peripheral eosinophil count was positively correlated with the initial skin, mucosa, total BPDAI score (p＜0.001, p=0.027, and p＜0.001, respectively), hospitalization days (p=0.032), anti-BP180 IgG antibody (p ＜0.001), anti-BP230 IgG antibody (p＜0.001), and IgE (p＜0.001). Furthermore, not only peripheral eosinophil count but also anti-BP180 IgG antibody, anti-BP230 IgG antibody, and IgE levels independently affected both the initial total BPDAI score (p＜0.05) and hospitalization duration (p＜0.05). Conclusion Based on our results, the peripheral eosinophil count can influence both clinical severity and laboratory findings. Additionally, it can indicate the clinical severity and prognosis of BP. Therefore, we suggest that the peripheral eosinophil count could be a useful marker for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with BP.

OBJECTIVES: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a life-saving therapy for patients with terminal liver disease. Many studies have focused on recipients rather than donors. The aim of this study was to assess the emotional status and personality characteristics of LDLT donors. METHODS: We evaluated 218 subjects (126 male, 92 female) who visited Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from August 2012 to July 2018. A retrospective review of their preoperative psychological evaluation was done. We investigated epidemiological data and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 questionnaire. Subanalysis was done depending on whether subjects actually underwent surgery, relationship with the recipient, and their gender. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 32.19±10.91 years. 187 subjects received LDLT surgery (actual donors) while 31 subjects didn't (potential donors). Donor-recipient relationship included husband-wife, parent-children, brother-sister etc. Subjects had statistical significance on validity scale L, F, K and all clinical scales compared to the control group. Potential donors had significant difference in F(b), F(p), K, S, Pa, AGGR, PSYC, DISC and NEGE scales compared to actual donors. F, D and NEGE scales were found to be predictive for actual donation. Subanalysis on donor-recipient relationship and gender also showed significant difference in certain scales. CONCLUSIONS: Under-reporting of psychological problems should be considered when evaluating living-liver donors. Information about the donor's overall psychosocial background, mental status and donation process should also be acquired.
Academic Medical Centers ; Daegu ; Donor Selection ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Living Donors ; Male ; Minnesota ; MMPI ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors ; Weights and Measures

Popliteal artery compression rarely occurs after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction using the tibial inlay technique that allows for direct visualization of the surgical field. However, we experienced a popliteal artery compression after PCL reconstruction performed using the technique, which eventually required re-operation. Here, we report this rare case and discuss reasons of popliteal artery compression.
Inlays ; Popliteal Artery ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic, autoimmune blistering disease that has concerning morbidity and mortality rates. Recently, several studies have focused on eosinophils due to their significant role in the pathogenesis of BP, considering that they are ubiquitous in the serum, tissue, and blister fluids of patients with BP. With this context, precision therapy that targets mediators of eosinophil activity could be a possible novel therapeutic strategy.Interleukin (IL)-5 is crucial for B-cell maturation, which consequently results in immunoglobulin production, and promotes eosinophil differentiation, proliferation, and activation. To our best knowledge, reslizumab has not yet been reported to treat BP. Herein, we report a case of steroid- and omalizumab-resistant BP treated successfully using reslizumab. Our data suggest that IL-5 could be a novel specific biologic target within the entire immunopathogenesis of BP, and reslizumab would be a novel therapeutic modality.

PURPOSE: Septal deviation has few subjective symptoms. However, a difficulty remains in doing DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) in these patients. We investigate the clinical course of DCR in patients with a septal deviation. METHODS: Acquired nasolacrimal duct-obstructed patients who had undergone DCR with septal deviation from 2003 to 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. We measured the septal distance using paranasal computed tomography taken preoperatively and compared the sex and age of patients, the kinds of operations, outcome of surgery, and ocular and nasal complications in our analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with a mean age of 55.3 years (range 29~74) were analyzed (4 males, 18 females). Mean septal distance was 4.84 mm (range 2.18~6.99 mm). Nineteen eyes had endonasal DCR, and three had external DCR. Two had DCR combined with septoplasty. Three had septoplasty as a secondary operation, Nasal complication was synechiae in 9 eyes. DCR success was seen in 15 eyes, and DCR failure in 7 eyes. Septal distance was not correlated with DCR success but was correlated with nasal complication (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.003) CONCLUSIONS: In the case of DCR with septal deviation, the surgical technique used will need to minimize the mucosal injury and ensure appropriate nasal correction to prevent future complications.
Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Dietary Sucrose ; Eye ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter may be toxic to human tissue. Ambient air particulate matter < or =10micrometer in aerodynamic size (PM10), which changes under different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also spread unique particulate matter in affected areas. We evaluated production of ROS, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B by exposing normal epithelial cells to Asian dust particulate matter. METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 50, 100microgramg/ml of a suspension of PM10 for 24 h. ROS were detected by measurement of DCF release from DCF-DA by FACScan. TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: PM10 exposure increased the expression of TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B. ROS production and TGF-betalevels were significantly higher with 50 or 100microgram/ml PM10. Fibronectin and NF kappa B production were significantly higher after 100microgram/ml of PM10. CONCLUSION: PM10 from Asian dust particles might have fibrotic potential in bronchial epithelial cells via ROS induction after PM10 exposure.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Dust ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Particulate Matter ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hemodynamic status of varicocele, 99m Tc-RBC venography was performed in 29 varicocele patients and 10 normal controls from January to July 1996. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mean age of varicocele patients was 23 years old and of normal controls was 27 years old. Among 29 varicocele patients, 26 had varicocele in left side and 3 had in both side. In unilateral varicocele group. 2 cases had grade I, 8 cases had grade II and 16 cases had grade III varicocele. In bilateral varicocele group, all had grade III in le% side and grade II varicocele in right side. RESULTS: The mean+/-SD of left to right radionuclide uptake ratio in pampiniform plexus during resting and Valsalva maneuver state was 1.01 +/-0.04:1 and 1.05+/-0.05:1 in normal control, 1.05+/-0.02:1 and 1.10:1 in varicocle grade I, 1.21+/-0.19:1 and 1.21 +/-0.12:1 in varicocele glade II, 1.60+/-0.63:1 and 1.27+/-0.18:1 in varicocele grade III, 1 18+/-0.06:1 and 1.26 in bilateral varicocele. As varicocele grade be higher, the mean left to right radionuclide uptake ratio be larger during resting and Valsalva maneuver state. CONCLUSIONS: 99mTc-RBC venography can quantify the hemodynamic state of varicocele so we suggest that it is useful as a method of diagnosis and follow up in varicocele patient.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Phlebography* ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicocele* ; Young Adult

IgG4-related sclerosing disease was first discovered when researching autoimmune pancreatitis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes fibrosis on the pancreas, bile duct, gall bladder, salivary glands, and lungs. It is rarely reported in the nasal cavity. The diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing disease is based on biopsy findings demonstrating the characteristic histopathologic findings and immunohistochemical staining. IgG4-related sclerosing disease shows good response to high-dose steroid therapy. However, some patients do not respond to this treatment. Azathioprine or rituximab can be helpful in such case. We report our experience with IgG4-related sclerosing disease treated with azathioprine for 2 years, along with a related literature review.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Azathioprine ; Bile Ducts ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins* ; Lung ; Nasal Cavity* ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; Plasma Cells ; Rituximab ; Salivary Glands ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is a long-term complication in dialysis patients which results from compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. It has been reported to occur with increased frequency in the hemodialysis population, but, there are few reports concering long-term complications in CAPD because of the relatively shorter duration of dialysis in most CAPD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of CTS in patients undergoing CAPD. METHODS: We analyzed 21 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients(males 14, females 7; age range 19-79 yr) undergoing CAPD. The patients were evaluated by questionnare, physical examination, and nerve conduction test(NCT). Age, gender, duration of CRF before CAPD, duration of CAPD, diabetic history were determined. RESULTS: Among the total 21 patients undergoing CAPD, only 5 patients(24%) were CTS, diagnosed by NCT. Two of these patients were symptomatic CTS, three patients were non-symptomtic CTS. So, there were no relationship between the incidence of CTS and clinical symptoms. Among the diabetic dialysis patients, the incidence of CTS was 28.57%. Also there was no increase in the number of diatetic patients with CTS. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the incidence of CTS in CAPD patients was similar with the previous reported incidence(2-31%) of hemodialysis patients. Since CTS is treatable, annual or even semiannual nerve conduction tests is indicated all CRF patients on chronic dialysis.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Dialysis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Median Nerve ; Neural Conduction ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Physical Examination ; Renal Dialysis