Tumor thrombus in the portal vein without any liver parenchymal abnormality is extremely rare. In the liver, the primary tumor most frequently presenting with intravascular tumor thrombi is hepatocellular carcinoma and lymphoma is rarely considered. Even though thrombosis occurs quite often in lymphoma, cases of tumor thrombus are rare and cases of tumor thrombus in the portal vein are even rarer. Only four cases of lymphoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis have been reported to date and all cases were the result of direct extensions of a dominant nodal or extra-nodal mass. To our knowledge, there has been no report on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presenting only within the lumen of the portal vein and not intravascular B-cell lymphoma. We present the first case of DLBCL presenting only within the lumen of the portal vein in an immunocompetent patient.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a role in various cellular phenomena, including autophagy, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Although recent studies have reported its involvement in nociceptive responses in several pain models, whether mTOR is involved in orofacial pain processing is currently unexplored. This study determined whether rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, reduces nociceptive responses and the number of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) in a mouse orofacial formalin model. We also examined whether the glial cell expression and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the TNC are affected by rapamycin. Mice were intraperitoneally given rapamycin (0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg); then, 30 min after, 5% formalin (10 l) was subcutaneously injected into the right upper lip. The rubbing responses with the ipsilateral forepaw or hindpaw were counted for 45 min. High-dose rapamycin (1.0 mg/kg) produced significant antinociceptive effects in both the first and second phases of formalin test. The number of Fos-ir cells in the ipsilateral TNC was also reduced by high-dose rapamycin compared with vehicle-treated animals. Furthermore, the number of p-p38-ir cells the in ipsilateral TNC was significantly decreased in animals treated with high-dose rapamycin; p-p38 expression was co-localized in microglia, but not neurons and astrocytes. Therefore, the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, reduces orofacial nociception and Fos expression in the TNC, and its antinociceptive action on orofacial pain may be associated with the inhibition of p-p38 MAPK in the microglia.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a role in various cellular phenomena, including autophagy, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Although recent studies have reported its involvement in nociceptive responses in several pain models, whether mTOR is involved in orofacial pain processing is currently unexplored. This study determined whether rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, reduces nociceptive responses and the number of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) in a mouse orofacial formalin model. We also examined whether the glial cell expression and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the TNC are affected by rapamycin. Mice were intraperitoneally given rapamycin (0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg); then, 30 min after, 5% formalin (10 l) was subcutaneously injected into the right upper lip. The rubbing responses with the ipsilateral forepaw or hindpaw were counted for 45 min. High-dose rapamycin (1.0 mg/kg) produced significant antinociceptive effects in both the first and second phases of formalin test. The number of Fos-ir cells in the ipsilateral TNC was also reduced by high-dose rapamycin compared with vehicle-treated animals. Furthermore, the number of p-p38-ir cells the in ipsilateral TNC was significantly decreased in animals treated with high-dose rapamycin; p-p38 expression was co-localized in microglia, but not neurons and astrocytes. Therefore, the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, reduces orofacial nociception and Fos expression in the TNC, and its antinociceptive action on orofacial pain may be associated with the inhibition of p-p38 MAPK in the microglia.

In connective tissue diseases, autoantibodies cause pulmonary interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, and patients require treatment with an immunosuppressive agent such as a steroid. Dermatomyositis is an incurable, uncommon form of connective tissue disease that occasionally causes diffuse pulmonary inflammation leading to acute severe respiratory failure. In such cases, the prognosis is very poor despite treatment with high-dose steroid. In the present case, a 46-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea. He was diagnosed with dermatomyositis combined with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) with respiratory failure and underwent treatment with steroid and an immunosuppressive agent, but the COP was not improved. However, the respiratory failure did improve after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, which therefore can be considered a treatment option in cases where steroids and immunosuppressive agents are ineffective.
Autoantibodies ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia* ; Dermatomyositis* ; Dyspnea ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Inflammation ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Steroids

Background: It has been reported that vitamin D may play an important role in rotator cuff tears. However, there has been limited information about the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Methods: One hundred seventy-six patients (age, 61.9 ± 8.90 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for a fullthickness tear were enrolled in this retrospective study. Preoperative serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) were measured.Hypovitaminosis D was defined as a serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL. We investigated whether age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, bone mineral density, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and outdoor occupation were associated with hypovitaminosis D. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3% (78/176). The mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of total patients was 24.7 ± 13.7 ng/mL. A higher serum level of vitamin D was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001). Young age was an independent risk factor for hypovitaminosis D. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was also lower in patients with an outdoor occupation than in those with an indoor occupation (19.0% vs. 31.4%,p = 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3%. Age had a significant positive correlation with the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Young age and indoor working were independent risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the possibility of hypovitaminosis D should be considered for young and indoor working patients who have rotator cuff tears.

Background: It has been reported that vitamin D may play an important role in rotator cuff tears. However, there has been limited information about the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Methods: One hundred seventy-six patients (age, 61.9 ± 8.90 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for a fullthickness tear were enrolled in this retrospective study. Preoperative serum vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) were measured.Hypovitaminosis D was defined as a serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL. We investigated whether age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, bone mineral density, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and outdoor occupation were associated with hypovitaminosis D. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3% (78/176). The mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of total patients was 24.7 ± 13.7 ng/mL. A higher serum level of vitamin D was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001). Young age was an independent risk factor for hypovitaminosis D. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was also lower in patients with an outdoor occupation than in those with an indoor occupation (19.0% vs. 31.4%,p = 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears was 44.3%. Age had a significant positive correlation with the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Young age and indoor working were independent risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients with rotator cuff tears. Therefore, the possibility of hypovitaminosis D should be considered for young and indoor working patients who have rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of paralytic ileus after spinal operation in the supine or prone operative position and to determine the efficacy of prophylactic gastrointestinal motility medications in preventing symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients received spinal surgery in the supine or prone operative position. The study period was divided into two phases: first, to analyze the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation, and second, to determine the therapeutic effects of prophylactic gastrointestinal motility medications (postoperative intravenous injection of scopolamine butylbromide and metoclopramide hydrochloride) on symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation. RESULTS: Basic demographic data were not different. In the first phase of this study, 27 patients (32.9%) with radiographic paralytic ileus and 11 patients (13.4%) with symptomatic paralytic ileus were observed. Radiographic paralytic ileus was more often noted in patients who underwent an operation in the prone position (p=0.044); whereas the occurrence of symptomatic paralytic ileus was not different between the supine and prone positioned patients (p=0.385). In the second phase, prophylactic medications were shown to be ineffective in preventing symptomatic paralytic ileus after spinal surgery [symptomatic paralytic ileus was observed in 11.1% (4/36) with prophylactic medication and 16.7% (5/30) with a placebo, p=0.513]. CONCLUSION: Spinal surgery in the prone position was shown to increase the likelihood of radiographic paralytic ileus occurrence, but not symptomatic paralytic ileus. Unfortunately, the prophylactic medications to prevent symptomatic paralytic ileus after spine surgery were shown to be ineffective.
Adjuvants, Anesthesia/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiemetics/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility/*drug effects/physiology ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/drug therapy/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Metoclopramide/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Prone Position ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/*administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Spinal Fusion/*adverse effects ; Supine Position ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a congenital anomaly commonly afflicting the pediatric population. However, it occurs more frequently in adults than is generally appreciated. To assess their characteristics, we have here compared and analyzed the clinical manifestations, causes, and outcomes of UPJ obstruction found in children and adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 102 patients (118 renal units) out of 182 patients (218 renal units), with diagnosed UPJ obstruction, were available for follow up. The follow-ups were retrospectively reviewed to determine the presenting symptoms, treatments, and clinical outcomes. Patients who were younger than 18 years of age were assigned to the pediatric group (44 patients), others the adult group (58 patents). RESULTS: The majority of the patients presented with flank pain (pediatric group: 68%, adult group: 76%). The majority of patients underwent a pyeloplasty (pediatric group: 50.9%, adult group: 62.3%). And the major cause of the UPJ obstruction was an intrinsic stenosis (pediatric group: 53%, adult group: 56%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bilateral UPJ obstruction in adults is evidently less prevalent than in pediatrics, and despite the late diagnosis, the surgical outcome is similar. A further investigation of UPJ obstruction will lead us to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.
Adult* ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Flank Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pediatrics ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are increasingly important in immunocompromised patients. Nucleic acid extraction methods could affect the results of viral nucleic acid amplification tests. We compared two automated nucleic acid extraction systems for detecting CMV and EBV using real-time PCR assays. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three whole blood (WB) samples were tested for CMV detection, and 117 WB samples were tested for EBV detection. Viral nucleic acid was extracted in parallel by using QIAsymphony RGQ and QIAcube (Qiagen GmbH, Germany), and real-time PCR assays for CMV and EBV were performed with a Rotor-Gene Q real-time PCR cycler (Qiagen). Detection rates for CMV and EBV were compared, and agreements between the two systems were analyzed. RESULTS: The detection rate of CMV and EBV differed significantly between the QIAsymphony RGQ and QIAcube systems (CMV, 59.5% [91/153] vs 43.8% [67/153], P=0.0005; EBV, 59.0% [69/117] vs 42.7% [50/117], P=0.0008). The two systems showed moderate agreement for CMV and EBV detection (kappa=0.43 and 0.52, respectively). QIAsymphony RGQ showed a negligible correlation with QIAcube for quantitative EBV detection. QIAcube exhibited EBV PCR inhibition in 23.9% (28/117) of samples. CONCLUSIONS: Automated nucleic acid extraction systems have different performances and significantly affect the detection of viral pathogens. The QIAsymphony RGQ system appears to be superior to the QIAcube system for detecting CMV and EBV. A suitable sample preparation system should be considered for optimized nucleic acid amplification in clinical laboratories.
Automation ; Cytomegalovirus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis/*virology ; DNA, Viral/*blood/isolation & purification/metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of porcelain re-firing on the formation of surface bubble and on the change in shade of metal-ceramic crown exposed to artificial saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty disk-shaped specimens were made in 10 mm diameter with 0.5 mm metal core thickness and 1 mm ceramic thickness. A spectroradiometer was used to determine the CIE Lab coordinates. The number and size of surface bubble were observed with a stereomicroscope. After the exposure to artificial saliva for 7 days, re-firing was performed at glazing temperature. After re-firing, the CIE Lab were calculated, and the number and size of surface bubble were observed again. The change in shade was expressed with DeltaE. Statistical analysis was done with paired t-test for the change in the number of surface bubble and student t-test for the change in the size of surface bubble (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: Shade difference was calculated 2.14 DeltaE units. The mean number of surface bubble was 1.33 +/- 1.49 before re-firing, 3.27 +/- 2.90 after re-firing. After re-firing, the number of surface bubble was significantly increased (P<.05). The mean size of surface bubble was 81.97 +/- 32.03 microm before re-firing, 142.94 +/- 47.40 microm after re-firing. After re-firing, the size of surface bubble was significantly increased (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Shade change after re-firing was perceptible (DeltaE < 2.0) and clinically acceptable (DeltaE < 3.7). The number and size of surface bubble was significantly increased after re-firing. Further investigation to decrease the surface bubble on the extra oral repair of metal-ceramic crown, will be needed in future study.
Ceramics ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Humans ; Pyridines ; Saliva, Artificial ; Thiazoles