No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

The salivary glands produce 1.5L of fluid per day. As in other exocrine organs, the general mechanism in the salivary glands is that water movement occurs secondary to osmotic driving forces created by active salt transport. Therefore, high water permeability in the salivary glands is expected to have a variety of aquaporin (AQP), a water channel. Although some AQPs have been known to be present in the salivary glands, roles of parasympathetic nerve in AQP expression have not yet been examined. This study was designed to examine the changes of AQPs and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the submandibular glands after parasympathetic denervation. Right chorda-lingual nerve was cut, and each right (experiment) and left (control) submandibular gland was excised at 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 days after denervation. The denervated right submandibular glands were resulted in weight loss and morphologic changes, including cell loss and atrophy, as the time elapsed after parasympathetic denervation increased, whereas there were no histologic alteration in control side. AQP5 which is known to reside in apical membrane and secretory caraliculi of the submandibular acini were gradually underexpressed according, as the time after denervation increased. Expression of AQP4 in submandibular ductal epithelium was down-regulated after denervation. Besides, AQP3 and 8, which is known to be present in basolateral membrane of the glandular acini, were gradually underexpressed after denervation, similar to the pattern of other types. Expression of ERK, a mitogen-activated protein kinase, was downregulated after parasympathetic denervation in the submandibular gland. These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous system regulates the expression of AQPs in salivary glands, and is in part mediated by ERK pathway.
Animals ; Aquaporins* ; Atrophy ; Denervation ; Epithelium ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Membranes ; Parasympathectomy* ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Permeability ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Rats* ; Salivary Glands ; Submandibular Gland* ; Water ; Water Movements ; Weight Loss

Lipodermatosclerosis is a type of sclerosing panniculitis that typically affects the lower legs and is frequently associated with vascular dysfunction. The cause of lipodermatosclerosis is not clearly understood, but it is believed to be associated with chronic venous insufficiency, obesity, arterial hypertension, arterial ischemia, and thrombophlebitis. Furthermore, in patients with lipodermatosclerosis, not only deep venous incompetence but also calf muscle abnormality can be observed. Increased muscle fat infiltration is associated with spinal stenosis, which leads to a reduction in calf muscle pump function. Our patient, who is obese and has had spinal stenosis for a long time, presented with a sudden onset of heating sensational erythematous patch on the right lower leg. A muscle biopsy revealed fat infiltration, and an incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lipodermatosclerosis. Our case suggests that increased fat infiltration in the muscles, along with spinal stenosis, leads to calf muscle atrophy, potentially resulting in acute lipodermatosclerosis.

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is a rare entity that accounts for about 1% of all gynecologic malignancies, and most are discovered during or after surgery. Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube is an extremely rare tumor that is reported only occasionally in the worldwide literature. Histologically, fallopian tube carcinomas are almost always papillary adenocarcinomas, but other histologic types such as endometrioid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and mixed carcinoma have been reported. As primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the fallopian tube is so rare, the clinicopathologic characteristics are as yet unknown. The authors recently experienced a case of primary transitional cell carcinoma arising in the fallopian tube, and thus report the clinical features, management, and also a review of the past pertinent literature.
Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Fallopian Tubes* ; Female

OBJECTIVE: Although heterotopic pregnancy is a rare disorder, it is on an increasing tendency due to frequent use of intrauterine device, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulation induction, assisted reproductive technology. This study was performed the clinical experiences of seven patients with heterotopic pregnancy. METHODS: Seven patients diagnosed as heterotopic pregnancy were analyzed by various factors such as age, symptoms, beta-hCG levels, gestational age at the time of diagnosis, postoperative course, sites of ectopic pregnancy, use of assisted reproductive technology, multiple pregnancy, and mode of surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.1 years, and chief complaint was abdominal pain. Laparotomy was done in 5 patients, and laparoscopy was done in 2 patients. Four of seven patients delivered at term, two were twins, two singletones. CONCLUSION: In heterotopic pregnancy, identification of intrauterine pregnancy without confirmation of ectopic pregnancy is associated with poor prognosis for both mother and fetus, and hence early dignosis and careful examination are need. Ectopic pregnancy should be removed and intrauterine pregnancy should be maintained.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Mothers ; Ovulation Induction ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Prognosis ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Twins

BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the most important leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Smoking habit is recognized as nicotine dependence, which consists of physical and psychosocial dependence. To evaluate social nicotine dependence, the Kano Test for Social Nicotine Dependence (KTSND) working group developed a new questionnaire, which consists of 10 questions with a total score of 30 in Japan. We examined the social nicotine dependence among healthy adults using the new KTSND questionnaire and evaluated validity of the KTSND questionnaire in Korea. METHOD: We applied Korean KTSND questionnaire version 2 to employees of hospital, university students and people for medical examination and promotion test. Complete data obtained from the 741 responders were analyzed. RESULT: The mean age of responders was 31.8 years. Among them, males were 57.8%. Current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers were 13.8%, 12.8%, and 73.4% respectively. According to smoking status, the total KTSND scores of current smokers were significantly higher than those of ex-smokers, and of non-smokers (17.1+/-5.4 versus 14.3+/-5.5, and 12.3+/-5.5, p< or =0.001). The total KTSND scores of males were higher than those of females, suggesting that males have a propensity for depending nicotine socially much more than females (14.3+/-5.7 and 11.7+/-5.4 respectively, p<0.001). Eight of ten questions produced significantly different scores among three different smoking groups. When current smokers were sub-classified by heavy smoking index (HSI) that represented physical nicotine dependence, we did not find a significant difference of KTSND score between low HSI group (<4) and high HSI group (> or =4), This finding suggested that the psychosocial dependence might play a different role from physical nicotine dependence in smoking. Most of the non-smokers (62.5%) had an experience of harmful passive smoking especially in public place. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the KTSND questionnaire could be a useful method to evaluate psychosocial aspects of smoking.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea* ; Male ; Mortality ; Nicotine* ; Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Tobacco Use Disorder*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of uterine cervical cancer patients after treatment in Korea and to demonstrate influencing factors. METHODS: 127 uterine cancer survivors, 107 controls of benign gynecologic surgery patients were interviewed with study questionnaire by research assistant. RESULTS: Participants were with the mean age of 54 years (cancer patients) and 43 years (controls). Physical component score of General QOL was statistically significant in uterine cervical cancer group compared with control group (p=0.049). Parts of MCS, CS-QOL, Emotional support, Coping efforts didn't show differences between two groups. In patients' characteristics, high economic status and advanced stage influenced patient's adaptation to treatment. When evaluating QOL including sexual function, most parts were statistically significantly worsen in uterine cancer patients, ie, sexual dysfunction (p=0.004), sexual discomfort (p=0.070), sexual pleasure (p=0.011), gynecological symptom (p=0.001). Most factors except age didn't influence sexual function deterioration between cancer group and control group. Common presenting concerns of cancer patients before treatment was health (51%), children (23%), economic problem (16%) but after treatment health (92%). The most helpful people were family members in 84% and physicians in 9%. CONCLUSION: Uterine cervical cancer survivors in Korea appear to experience greater distress on sexual function especially in young age. Therefore it is important for health care professionals to recognize that aspects of cancer survivorship continue to require education and adequate follow-up program.
Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Korea* ; Pleasure ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Survival Rate ; Survivors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Uterine Neoplasms

Papillary fibroelastomas are the second most common primary cardiac tumor in adults. Over 80% of fibroelastomas occur on the cardiac valves, usually on the left side of the heart, while the remaining lesions are typically scattered throughout the atria and ventricles. Although the optimal timing for surgery is controversial and depends on tumor size and location, prompt surgical resection is warranted in patients at high risk of embolism. A tumor on the cardiac valve can be removed using the slicing excision technique without leaflet injury. Here we present two cases of papillary fibroelastomas occurring on the ventricular surface of the aortic valve and in the right ventricle.

Background: Vitiligo, which is characterized by depigmented patches on the skin, poses challenges in achieving lasting repigmentation after treatment. Identifying factors contributing to vitiligo recurrence is vital for effective management; however, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding post-treatment recurrence factors in patients with vitiligo. Objective: We aimed to investigate the factors associated with recurrence in patients with non-segmental vitiligo. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patient’s medical records from 2000 to 2023, and defined a “cure group” with cosmetically satisfactorily repigmentation maintained for at least 6 months. This group was further divided into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and various factors related to treatment. Furthermore, we explored the cure and recurrence rates based on the location of vitiligo, and performed a survival analysis for recurrence with or without maintenance therapy. Results: Of 70 cured patients, 19 relapsed. Maintenance treatment was the most significant factor affecting vitiligo recurrence (p＜0.0001, odds ratio=0.029). There were no statistically significant differences in initial age, sex, disease duration, sites, subtype, treatment duration, treatment modality, and comorbidities. After 100 months, 87.3% of the patients in the maintenance therapy group remained recurrence-free, while only 20% of the non-maintenance therapy group did not experience recurrence. Head and neck lesions had the highest cure rates, whereas lower limb lesions showed higher recurrence rates. Approximately 63.2% of recurrences occurred at the original site, while 31.6% occurred outside the original site. Conclusion The absence of maintenance therapy was the most important factor associated with the recurrence of nonsegmental vitiligo.