Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee occurs twice as often in males as in females. The peak incidence is about fifteen years of age, and most patients are first diagnosed before the age of eighteen. The etiology of osteochondritis dissecans is still unknown, but the most accepted theories are trauma, ischemia, abnormal ossification within the physes, constitutional or genetic predisposition, and a combination of these. Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee associated with gout was first reported by Carrabba in 1969. And no additional case has been reported. The purpose of this paper is to present an unusual case of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee associated with gout.
Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Gout* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ischemia ; Knee* ; Male ; Osteochondritis Dissecans* ; Osteochondritis*

Intensive chemical investigation of Korean marine sponge Spongia sp. has led to the isolation of two new scalaranes. The planar structures of the new compounds 1 and 2 were determined through 1D and 2D NMR spectral data analysis, while the relative stereochemistry of the compounds was determined based on the analysis of 1H-1H coupling constants and NOESY spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 did not display any significant biological activities on farnesoid X-activated receptor (FXR) in co-transfection assay.
Porifera* ; Statistics as Topic

Human palatine tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) are known to be a new source of progenitor cells. Using waste tissue after tonsillectomy as a cell provider can be the biggest benefit of TMSCs, compared with other stem cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate tenogenic differentiation of TMSCs and to access the differential effects of transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) on the tenogenesis of TMSCs. Human tonsil was obtained after tonsillectomy. Using a cytometric analysis, we were able to find that the TMSCs had typical mesenchymal stem cell markers: positive for CD73, CD90, and CD105, and negative for CD14, CD34, and CD45. Using TGF-β3, the expressions of tenocyte-specific genes and proteins, such as collagen type 1 (COL1), tenomodulin (TNMD), and scleraxis (SCX), were measured by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. Quantitative PCR assay showed that TGF-β3 significantly increased the expressions of tenocyte lineage marker genes, including COL1, TNMD, and SCX, at a 3-day treatment, compared with control. However, these increases were not found at long-term exposures (7 or 10 days), except that TNMD expression was maintained at 50 ng/mL at a 7-day exposure to TGF-β3. Like genes, the protein expression levels of COL1, TNMD, and SCX were also induced in TGF-β3-treated TMSCs in a 3-day treatment, which were maintained for 10 days, as evidenced by immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. This study demonstrated that TMSCs in tenogenic stimulation with TGF-β3 have a high tenogenic differentiation potential.
Blotting, Western ; Collagen ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Palatine Tonsil ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; Tonsillectomy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Objective: Subdural hematoma (SDH) primarily occurs in elderly patients. While most patients have good prognosis, some do not. Hematoma recurrence is one of the factors influencing prognosis. Moreover, some characteristic radiological factors may increase the recurrence rate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of trauma influenced radiological characteristics and hematoma recurrence in SDH patients treated with burr hole trephination. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2014, we selected 83 patients diagnosed with unilateral SDH using computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. We divided the patients into 2 groups based on the presence of trauma. We compared the 2 groups with multiple parameters, such as patient factors, radiological characteristics, and recurrence rate. Results: Patients who had a prolonged international normalized ratio (INR) were significantly more common in the non-traumatic SDH group (22.2%:55.2%, p=0.002). There was no statistical difference in radiological parameters between the 2 groups. The recurrence rate was marginally higher in the non-traumatic SDH group (14.8%:17.2%, p=0.502), but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion There were no statistically significant differences in the radiological findings, including brain atrophy, hematoma density, thickness of hematoma, and degree of midline shifting between the 2 groups. The associated trauma history may not influence recurrence. Anticoagulants medication influence INR prolongation, and commonly shown in nontraumatic group, but not statistically. INR prolongation was statistically more common in non-traumatic SDH patients than in traumatic SDH patients. INR prolongation is only a different characteristic between 2 groups.

Background: and Purpose: Choline alfoscerate (CA) is an acetylcholine precursor known for its beneficial effect on cognition in patient with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD).However, there is little evidence of its effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We assessed the influence of CA on the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD in three observational Korean databases using a Common Data Model (CDM). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with MCI and were aged over 60 years were included.After propensity score matching, 3,062 matched pairs patients using CA use and those not using CA were included. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) of CA use for conversion from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD. Subgroup analyses were performed based on sex, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (AchEI) use, and donepezil use. Results: A meta-analysis across three hospitals revealed that CA use was not associated with the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.26) or ADD (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.51–1.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that CA use was not related to progression to all-cause dementia or ADD when stratified by sex, AchEI use, and donepezil use. Conclusions In this multicenter cohort study based on the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership CDM real-world data, no association was noted between CA use and disease progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD.

Background: and Purpose: Choline alfoscerate (CA) is an acetylcholine precursor known for its beneficial effect on cognition in patient with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD).However, there is little evidence of its effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We assessed the influence of CA on the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD in three observational Korean databases using a Common Data Model (CDM). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with MCI and were aged over 60 years were included.After propensity score matching, 3,062 matched pairs patients using CA use and those not using CA were included. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) of CA use for conversion from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD. Subgroup analyses were performed based on sex, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (AchEI) use, and donepezil use. Results: A meta-analysis across three hospitals revealed that CA use was not associated with the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.26) or ADD (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.51–1.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that CA use was not related to progression to all-cause dementia or ADD when stratified by sex, AchEI use, and donepezil use. Conclusions In this multicenter cohort study based on the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership CDM real-world data, no association was noted between CA use and disease progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD.

Background: and Purpose: Choline alfoscerate (CA) is an acetylcholine precursor known for its beneficial effect on cognition in patient with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD).However, there is little evidence of its effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We assessed the influence of CA on the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD in three observational Korean databases using a Common Data Model (CDM). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with MCI and were aged over 60 years were included.After propensity score matching, 3,062 matched pairs patients using CA use and those not using CA were included. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) of CA use for conversion from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD. Subgroup analyses were performed based on sex, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (AchEI) use, and donepezil use. Results: A meta-analysis across three hospitals revealed that CA use was not associated with the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.26) or ADD (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.51–1.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that CA use was not related to progression to all-cause dementia or ADD when stratified by sex, AchEI use, and donepezil use. Conclusions In this multicenter cohort study based on the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership CDM real-world data, no association was noted between CA use and disease progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD.

Background: and Purpose: Choline alfoscerate (CA) is an acetylcholine precursor known for its beneficial effect on cognition in patient with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD).However, there is little evidence of its effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We assessed the influence of CA on the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD in three observational Korean databases using a Common Data Model (CDM). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with MCI and were aged over 60 years were included.After propensity score matching, 3,062 matched pairs patients using CA use and those not using CA were included. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) of CA use for conversion from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD. Subgroup analyses were performed based on sex, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (AchEI) use, and donepezil use. Results: A meta-analysis across three hospitals revealed that CA use was not associated with the progression from MCI to all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.26) or ADD (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.51–1.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that CA use was not related to progression to all-cause dementia or ADD when stratified by sex, AchEI use, and donepezil use. Conclusions In this multicenter cohort study based on the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership CDM real-world data, no association was noted between CA use and disease progression from MCI to all-cause dementia or ADD.

A new alpha-pyrone derivative, violapyrone J (1), and along with the two known violapyrones B (2) and C (3) were isolated from the fermentation broth of a marine actinomycete Streptomyces sp. SC0718. The structure of violapyrone J (1) was elucidated from 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses.
Actinobacteria* ; Fermentation ; Streptomyces*

Kimura's disease is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the lymphoid organs and this presents as painless nodules in the head and neck area. It occurs endemically in the Far East Asia and sporadically in the West. Its exact etiology is unknown and it has no potential to transform into malignant disease. However, it is often confused with malignant disease such as malignant lymphoma. We report a case of NK/T cell lymphoma patient who had Kimura's disease in the right thigh 3 years ago. She then suffered from sudden dyspnea. Radiological studies revealed multiple small nodules scattered in both lung fields. NK/T cell lymphoma was diagnosed by open lung biopsy. In addition, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected in the previous site of Kimura's disease and lung nodule by molecular pathologic examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of NK/T cell lymphoma complicating Kimura's disease with coexisting chronic EBV infection.
Asia ; Biopsy ; Dyspnea ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Far East ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Head ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphoma* ; Neck ; Thigh