No abstract available.
Goiter* ; Humans ; Siblings*

Herpetic esophagitis is a rare disease occuring mostly ie immunocompromised and cancer patient. It is also documented as self-limiting esopbagitis in young healthy adults. We report here a 30- year-old immunocompetent male patient with esophageal ulceration. Heryetic esophagitis was diagnosed by characteristic endoscopic and microscopic findings. And the diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopic appearance. This immunocompetent patient recovered spontaneously with symptomatic treatment only. And repeat endoscopy and histology confirmed absence of herpes infection.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis* ; Humans ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to evaluate the changes in tear film and ocular surface parameters after using sodium hyaluronate (SH) 0.1% alone or in combination with cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy accompanied by dry eye. METHODS: A total of 72 eyes from 36 patients were divided into two groups; 36 eyes of 18 patients were treated with 0.1% SH alone (group 1), and 36 eyes of 18 patients were treated with SH 0.1% and CsA 0.05% (group 2). Tear break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion test (BST), tear clearance rate (TCR), fluorescein staining (FS) and corneal sensitivity test (CST) were evaluated at pre-treatment and one, three and six months post-treatment. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed and tear CXCL11 (Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand) levels were measured pre-treatment and three months post-treatment. RESULTS: BUT, BST, TCR, KEP and CST were significantly improved at six months in group 1 (p < 0.05) and at three months in group 2 (p < 0.05). The degree of conjunctival squamous cell metaplasia, goblet cell density and tear CXCL11 levels were significantly changed at three months in group 2 (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in group 1 after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined use of topical 0.1% SH and 0.05% CsA can result in early improvement in tear films and ocular surface parameters in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy accompanied by dry eye.
Cyclosporine ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Eye ; Fluorescein ; Goblet Cells ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Metaplasia ; Tears ; Thyroid Gland

Wolfiporia cocos is a wood-decay brown rot fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae. While the fungus grows, the sclerotium body of the strain, dubbed Bokryeong in Korean, is formed around the roots of conifer trees. The dried sclerotium has been widely used as a key component of many medicinal recipes in East Asia. Wolfiporia cocos strain KMCC03342 is the reference strain registered and maintained by the Korea Seed and Variety Service for commercial uses. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence of W. cocos KMCC03342 using a hybrid assembly technique combining both short- and long-read sequences. The genome has a total length of 55.5 Mb comprised of 343 contigs with N50 of 332 kb and 95.8% BUSCO completeness. The GC ratio was 52.2%. We predicted 14,296 protein-coding gene models based on ab initio gene prediction and evidence-based annotation procedure using RNAseq data. The annotated genome was predicted to have 19 terpene biosynthesis gene clusters, which was the same number as the previously sequenced W. cocos strain MD-104 genome but higher than Chinese W. cocos strains. The genome sequence and the predicted gene clusters allow us to study biosynthetic pathways for the active ingredients of W. cocos . is a wood-decay brown rot fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae. While the fungus grows, the sclerotium body of the strain, dubbed Bokryeong in Korean, is formed around the roots of conifer trees. The dried sclerotium has been widely used as a key component of many medicinal recipes in East Asia. Wolfiporia cocos strain KMCC03342 is the reference strain registered and maintained by the Korea Seed and Variety Service for commercial uses. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence of W. cocos KMCC03342 using a hybrid assembly technique combining both short- and long-read sequences. The genome has a total length of 55.5 Mb comprised of 343 contigs with N50 of 332 kb and 95.8% BUSCO completeness. The GC ratio was 52.2%. We predicted 14,296 protein-coding gene models based on ab initio gene prediction and evidence-based annotation procedure using RNAseq data. The annotated genome was predicted to have 19 terpene biosynthesis gene clusters, which was the same number as the previously sequenced W. cocos strain MD-104 genome but higher than Chinese v strains. The genome sequence and the predicted gene clusters allow us to study biosynthetic pathways for the active ingredients of W. cocos

BACKGROUND: Postlaminectomy peridural fibrosis is inevitable. Some studies have compared and identified the effects of high molecular weight hyaluronic acids (HMWHA) and low molecular weight hyaluronic acids (LMWHA) on peridural fibrosis in postlaminectomy animal models. However, no studies have been found that compare pain behaviors between hyaluronic acids or among hyaluronic acids and other solid materials. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between pain-related behaviors and histopathologic changes in laminectomized rats using various peridurally administered materials. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats, laminectomized at the L5 and L6 levels, were divided into four groups: group C, laminectomy only; group L, laminectomy and LMWHA application; group H, laminectomy and HMWHA application; group F, laminectomy and fat interposition. Pain behaviors were checked before, 3 days, 1 week, and 3 weeks after surgery. Histopathological changes were checked at the L5 level 3 weeks after the surgery. RESULTS: The 50% withdrawal thresholds in groups L and H were higher than that in groups C and F three days after laminectomy (P < 0.05). The paw withdrawal time did not change among the groups and in each group during the study period. Peridural fibrosis in group F was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronic acids significantly reduced mechanical allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia. Peridural fibrosis did not show any correlation with pain behaviors. There have been limited studies on the correlation between peridural fibrosis and pain behavioral change, which should be verified by further studies.
Animals ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Hyperalgesia ; Inflammation ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Molecular Weight ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Rapidly destructive arthrosis is a rare syndrome characterized by narrowing of the joint space and rapid joint destruction within 6∼12 months. A 62-year-old woman with anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer presented with both knee pain and varus deformity. She was treated with crizotinib 500 mg/day for more than 2 years, with partial tumor response. Initial plain radiography showed Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) grade 1. After 10 months, varus deformity was worsened and plain radiography aggravated to K-L grade 4 despite conservative treatment including activity modification.Diffuse synovitis with massive joint effusion and destruction of anterior cruciate ligament, medial meniscus, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament were shown in magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was diagnosed with rapidly destructive arthrosis of knee and underwent a both total knee arthroplasty.

Skeletal muscle metastasis of gastric cancer is extremely rare and is associated with various symptoms. Here, we report on a 60-year-old woman with right hip pain after excessive walking. Two years earlier, the patient had been treated for advanced gastric cancer (surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy). Upon magnetic resonance imaging, diffuse muscle swelling and high signal intensity were observed in T2-weighted images of the right hip muscle. However, the FDG uptake in the right gluteal muscles was not obviously increased. Pathological examination of muscle biopsy revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of stomach origin. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, and the swelling and pain in the right hip are progressively improving.

Rapidly destructive arthrosis is a rare syndrome characterized by narrowing of the joint space and rapid joint destruction within 6∼12 months. A 62-year-old woman with anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer presented with both knee pain and varus deformity. She was treated with crizotinib 500 mg/day for more than 2 years, with partial tumor response. Initial plain radiography showed Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) grade 1. After 10 months, varus deformity was worsened and plain radiography aggravated to K-L grade 4 despite conservative treatment including activity modification.Diffuse synovitis with massive joint effusion and destruction of anterior cruciate ligament, medial meniscus, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament were shown in magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was diagnosed with rapidly destructive arthrosis of knee and underwent a both total knee arthroplasty.

Skeletal muscle metastasis of gastric cancer is extremely rare and is associated with various symptoms. Here, we report on a 60-year-old woman with right hip pain after excessive walking. Two years earlier, the patient had been treated for advanced gastric cancer (surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy). Upon magnetic resonance imaging, diffuse muscle swelling and high signal intensity were observed in T2-weighted images of the right hip muscle. However, the FDG uptake in the right gluteal muscles was not obviously increased. Pathological examination of muscle biopsy revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of stomach origin. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, and the swelling and pain in the right hip are progressively improving.

PURPOSE: Liver metastasis is the most common type of failure in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The identification of differential expressions of genes in colorectal cancer and liver metastasis is important to differentiate the genetic mechanism of carcinogenesis and liver metastasis from that of a normal mucosa. The aim of this study is to find candidate genes playing roles in liver metastasis of colorectal cancer by using cDNA microarray. METHODS: We screened a group of genes differentially expressed in a normal mucosa and in cancer and liver metastasis by using a 4.7 K cDNA microarray chip in 8 patients with far advanced colorectal cancer from Jan 2003 to May 2004 at Kyungpook National University Hospital. RESULTS: A comparison of mRNA expressions of genes in normal mucosa vs. cancer, normal mucosa vs. liver metastasis, and cancer vs. liver metastasis, 76 and 27 known and unknown genes were significantly over-expressed in cancer and liver metastasis, respectively. Also 62 and 26 genes were down- regulated in cancer and liver metastasis. Among those genes, TIMP-1, SRY-box9, Rattus norvegicus fibronectin 1, mitotic check point regulator, etc. were constantly up- regulated in cancer or metastasis, and hsgk, etc. were down-regulated in cancer or liver metastasis. CONSLUSIONS: The cDNA microarray chip technique could be a useful for robust screening of candidate genes involved in carcinogenesis or metastasis of colorectal cancer.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; DNA, Complementary* ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Liver* ; Mass Screening ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis* ; Pilot Projects* ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1