There have been several reports in the literature of coexistent psoriasis and bullous pemphigoid. In most cases, the bullous pemphigoid lesions have been considered to be induced by antipsoriatic treatments. We describe a patient with psoriasis in whom bullous pemphigoid developed during psoriasis treatment, but the exact etiologic factor was not identified. Recently, some reports have suggested that an immunologic or biochemical association between the two diseases plays a role in the pathogenesis.
Humans ; Pemphigoid, Bullous* ; Psoriasis*

Sebaceous trichofolliculoma is a variant of trichofolliculoma which occurs in the sebaceous areas rich in follicles and is a relatively rare skin tumor. This tumor is a clinically and histologically easy tumor to recognize that is well differentiated. We examined a case of a consists of a 21-year-old female who had a pedunculated nodule on her scalp. Microscopically, the tumor was large, had a centrally located cavity lined by squamous epithelium and radially arranged sebaceous follicles connected to the cavity. No cytological atypia or recurrence after excision was found.
Female ; Humans

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The clinical epidemiology of GERD is related to diet. It has been speculated that certain dietary factors may play a role in the pathogenesis or course of GERD. Physiological studies have shown a decrease in lower esophageal pressure and an increase in esophageal acid exposure in response to consuming a variety of foods. Subjects with GERD are sensitive to acidic juices, such as orange and tomato juices. Some patients are less tolerant to caffeine including coffee. Fatty foods and chocolate may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, whereas protein may increase lower sphincter tone. Large meals distend the stomach, increase intragastric pressure, and facilitate gastroesophageal reflux. Alcohol consumption is another important risk factor for GERD. However, a wide-ranging review of the available data revealed conflicting findings regarding the impact of dietary factors on GERD.
Alcohol Drinking ; Cacao ; Caffeine ; Citrus sinensis ; Coffee ; Diet* ; Epidemiology ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Gastrointestinal Diseases* ; Humans ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Meals ; Risk Factors ; Stomach

BACKGROUND: Volume models made from magnetic resonance images on computed tomographs can produce horizontal, coronal, sagittal, and oblique planes that are used widely in clinics, although detailed structures cannot be identified. Existing real color volume models are mostly commercial and their production methods have not been released. The aim of this study was to distribute free of charge, real-color volume models produced from sectioned images with the production method. METHODS: The original voxel size of sectioned images was increased appropriately so that the volume model could be handled by typical personal computers. By using Dicom Browser and MRIcroGL, the sectioned images were processed to become the volume models. RESULTS: On the MRIcroGL, the resultant volume model with the voxel size of 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm3 could be displayed and freely rotated. By adjusting variables of the software, desired oblique planes could be produced instantly. With overlay function, a model of segmented structure can be overlapped to the entire volume models. The sectioned images with high quality and the segmentation data of Visible Korean enabled the identification of detailed anatomical structures on the planes. CONCLUSION: The volume models can be used by medical students and doctors for learning sectional anatomy. Other researchers can utilize the method of this study to produce volume models from their own sectioned images.
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Learning ; Methods ; Microcomputers ; Students, Medical ; Visible Human Projects

Most loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) discovered to date are within noncoding regions of unknown functional significance. By contrast, exonic regions have advantages for biological interpretation.

PURPOSE: The Singh index which is based on a plain radiograph has commonly used in assessing the grade of osteoporosis. We studied value of the Singh index in assessing the grade of osteoporosis by obtaining reliability of the Singh index and correlation between the Singh index and bone mineral density. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six observers assessed radiographs of 60 patients suspected osteoporosis. The interobserver and intraobserver agreement of the Singh index were obtained by using kappa statistics. The bone mineral density of proximal femur was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in all patients, and then the results of bone mineral density were compared with those of Singh index by using percentage of variance. RESULTS: The kappa values of interobserver agreement ranged from 0.28 to 0.76 (mean value: 0.45) and the strength of the agreement was moderate. The percentage of variance of BMD which was explained by Singh index was 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the Singh index has low clinical value in assessing the grade of osteoporosis
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Femur ; Humans ; Osteoporosis*

Atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are considered the main precursor lesions of gastric cancer, and the risk of gastric cancer in the gastric mucosa increases in the presence of AG and IM. The development of intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma represents the last step of an inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence, called the Correa cascade of multistep gastric carcinogenesis. The incidences of both AG and IM tend to increase with age. Helicobacter pylori is regarded the most important factor in the development of IM; the progression of AG to IM is also affected by numerous environmental factors and individual genetic factors. Therefore, understanding the natural course of AG and IM is very important, especially in areas with a high prevalence of gastric cancer such as Korea.

Most loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) discovered to date are within noncoding regions of unknown functional significance. By contrast, exonic regions have advantages for biological interpretation.

Background: Cranial nerve ganglia, which are prone to viral infections and tumors, are located deep in the head, so their detailed anatomy is difficult to understand using conventional cadaver dissection. For locating the small ganglia in medical images, their sectional anatomy should be learned by medical students and doctors.The purpose of this study is to elucidate cranial ganglia anatomy using sectioned images and three-dimensional (3D) models of a cadaver. Methods: One thousand two hundred and forty-six sectioned images of a male cadaver were examined to identify the cranial nerve ganglia. Using the real color sectioned images, real color volume model having a voxel size of 0.4 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm was produced. Results: The sectioned images and 3D models can be downloaded for free from a webpage, anatomy.dongguk.ac.kr/ganglia. On the images and model, all the cranial nerve ganglia and their whole course were identified. In case of the facial nerve, the geniculate, pterygopalatine, and submandibular ganglia were clearly identified.In case of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the superior, inferior, and otic ganglia were found. Thanks to the high resolution and real color of the sectioned images and volume models, detailed observation of the ganglia was possible. Since the volume models can be cut both in orthogonal planes and oblique planes, advanced sectional anatomy of the ganglia can be explained concretely. Conclusions The sectioned images and 3D models will be helpful resources for understanding cranial nerve ganglia anatomy, for performing related surgical procedures.

To achieve optimal decalcification in tissue and tissue preservation, we have tried magnetic field method and made some promising results. We used pulsed unipolar magnetic field obtained by rectification of 250 V-60 cycle, A.C. As a new method of bony decalcification, using 5% nitric acid, 10% formic acid and 10% formic acid+3% hydrochloric acid solutions, experimental groups were decalcified in the center of the magnetic field. The concentration of calcium ion in the decalcifying solution was measured by calcium-oxalate turbidity test by photometry method, and direct visualization of calcium radiopacity was obtained by soft X-ray view during the decalcification process. The pH change during decalcification was continuously checked and needle penetration method was also used. All the decalcification solution used in this study showed accelerated effect of bony decalcification in the strong magnetic field. Among them 5% nitric acid produced complete decalcification for the medium size bony specimen (less than 10x10x10 mm) within 24 hours, and the histologic feature was almost free of acid-chemical degeneration. The pH of all the decalcification solutions decreased in the strong magnetic field, maximum within 4~6 hours, and kept strong acidity throughout the decalcification procedure. After removal of the magnetic field the pH of all the decalcification solution returned to their original values after 24 hours. It was presumed that the cause of the accelerated decalcification in the magnetic field was due to combined effects of the rapid increase of acidity and the increased molecular resonance to stimulate the ionization of mineral elements.