PURPOSE: To report a case of multiple solitary plasmacytomas that presented with painful erythematous swelling of the upper eyelid. The patient was diagnosed with extramedullary plasmacytoma, and was later found to have multiple metastases of the bone and soft tissue during follow up. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old female patient presented with painful erythematous swelling of the left upper eyelid that persisted for 1 month prior to examination. Under suspicion of lacrimal gland inflammation, anti-inflammatory medication was started but the symptoms worsened. Orbital computed tomography showed that a mass infiltrated the left lacrimal gland. We performed incisional biopsy of the mass via eyelid crease incision. Based on histopathological examination, the mass was diagnosed as extramedullary plasmacytoma and the patient was treated with radiation. After a 10-month follow-up period, multiple metastases on the left parotid gland, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and pelvic bone were observed. Finally, we diagnosed the patient with multiple solitary plasmacytomas. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of multiple solitary plasmacytomas presenting with upper eyelid painful erythematous swelling. This condition should be considered for patients presenting with eyelid inflammation. In addition, long term follow up should be conducted to detect metastasis or recurrence.
Biopsy ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Orbit ; Parotid Gland ; Pelvic Bones ; Plasmacytoma* ; Recurrence ; Spine

PURPOSE: Music therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment of the behavioral and psychological symptoms. This study was conducted to contribute to the rehabilitation of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease in the areas of functionality, emotionality and sociability. METHODS: The study included 35 participants, aged between 52 and 77 years, who were diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and reported suffering from depression, chronic illness anticipated stigma, and worrying about quality of life . The patients were recruited from the department of outpatient neurology at School of Medicine, D University in B Metropolitan City. Group music therapy was performed for nine weeks. The results were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: In terms of stigma, there were significant differences between two groups and time (p<.05). Analysis of the interaction between time and service method revealed significant differences (p<.05). Between time, and the interaction between time and service method revealed significant differences in terms of quality of life (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that group music therapy will be effective on the psychosocial well-being of patients with Parkinson's disease living in assisted and independent living communities.
Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Methods ; Music Therapy* ; Music* ; Neurology ; Outpatients ; Parkinson Disease* ; Quality of Life ; Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Osteoclasts are bone resorbing cells and are responsible for bone erosion in diseases as diverse as osteoporosis, periodontitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Fexaramine has been developed as an agonist for the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). This study investigated the effects of fexaramine on receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation and signaling pathways. METHODS: Osteoclasts were formed by culturing mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL. Bone resorption assays were performed using dentine slices. The mRNA expression level was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting assays were conducted to detect the expression or activation level of proteins. Lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast formation was performed using a mouse calvarial model. RESULTS: Fexaramine inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation, without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, fexaramine diminished the RANKL-stimulated bone resorption. Mechanistically, fexaramine blocked the RANKL-triggered p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation, resulting in suppressed expression of c-Fos and NF of activated T cells (NFATc1). Consistent with the in vitro anti-osteoclastogenic effect, fexaramine suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast formation in the calvarial model. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that fexaramine has an inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation and function, via downregulation of NFATc1 signaling pathways. Thus, fexaramine could be useful for the treatment of bone diseases associated with excessive bone resorption.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Diseases ; Bone Resorption ; Dentin ; Down-Regulation ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases ; In Vitro Techniques ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Osteoclasts* ; Osteoporosis ; Periodontitis ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; RANK Ligand ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes*

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop an empowerment program for people with chronic mental illness and to analyze effects of the program on level of empowerment. METHODS: The research was conducted using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 37 people with chronic mental illness (experimental group: 18, control group: 19). The empowerment program was provided for 8 weeks (15 sessions). Data were collected between July 21 and October 17, 2014. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Sapiro-wilk test, and Repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 18.0. RESULTS: Quantitative results show that self-efficacy, interpersonal relationships, attitudes in the workplace, occupational performance capacity, and levels of empowered execute were significantly better in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that this empowerment program for persons with chronic mental illness is effective for improving self efficacy, interpersonal skills, attitudes in the workplace, occupational performance capacity, levels of empowered execute.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Mental Disorders/*psychology/rehabilitation ; Middle Aged ; *Power (Psychology) ; *Program Development ; *Program Evaluation ; Self Efficacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Task Performance and Analysis ; Workplace

Aim To avoid the limitation of the use of cationic polyethlenimine (PEI)-complexed plasmid DNA use for in vitro or in vivo gene delivery due to its cytotoxicity and lower efficiency in the presence of serum. Methods A polyplex with decreased positive charge on the complex surface was designed. The PEI/DNA (PD) complexes coated with an anionic biodegradable polymer, alginate were prepared and their gene delivery behavior with PD was compared. Results The alginate-coated PD polyplex, where alginate: PEI: DNA [alginate: DNA, 0. 15 (w/w); PEI: DNA, N: P = 10] showed about 10 -30 fold-increased transfection efficiency compared to corresponding non-coated complexes to C3 cells in the presence of 50% serum. The surface charge of the alginate-coated complex was approximately half of that of the alginate-lacking complex. The size of alginate-coated complex was slightly smaller than that of the corresponding complex without alginate. The former complex also showed a reduced erythrocyte aggregation activity and decreased cytotoxicities to C3 cells in comparison with PD complex. Conclusion The alginate-coated PD polyplexes as a new gene delivery system can improve transfection efficiency in high serum concentration with low cytotoxicity to C3 cells.

Menopause is a well-known risk factor for accelerating cognitive aging in women. This study aimed to assess differences in cognitive function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to menopausal status to determine whether the menopause significantly affects the relationship between cognitive function and HRQOL.

PURPOSE: This study examined the prevalence of food allergies and allergenic factors in a selected sample of children living in Seoul, Korea, along with their dietary habits, environmental factors, and diseases as risk factors for food allergy. The results of this study will provide basic data for addressing food allergies.METHODS: We selected 3,004 pre-school and school-age children, aged 0 ~ 12, in the 25 districts of Seoul as the study sample. Structured self-report questionnaires were administered over a two-month period in July-August 2018, and the children's parents recorded the answers on their children's behalf. The research tools in this study included the Korean version of the questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).RESULTS: The physician-diagnosed prevalence rate of food allergies was 14.2%, while 20.4% of the children experienced allergic symptoms at least once and 17.4% reported symptoms within the previous 12 months. The children's symptoms included skin problems (88.1%), gastrointestinal issues (19.2%), oral issues (16.7%), respiratory issues (12.7%), and systemic issues (1.3%). The causes of allergies included eggs, peaches, milk, peanuts, and shrimps. The factors influencing the experience of food allergies were the consumption of cereal (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 2.10; p = 0.013), potatoes (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.33 ~ 2.65; p < 0.001), and fast food (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10 ~ 2.72; p = 0.017). Having food allergy symptoms was associated with a higher risk of experiencing asthma (aOR, 4.22 95% CI, 3.10 ~ 5.76; p < 0.001), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.03 ~ 3.15; p < 0.001), and atopic dermatitis symptoms (aOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.88 ~ 4.40; p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Episodes of food allergies warrant examining regular food consumption and placing dietary restrictions through early diagnosis as these episodes may imply the presence of other allergies. Our findings offer basic insights into the patterns, prevalence and symptoms of children's food allergies in Seoul, and our findings will contribute to identifying effective interventions for food allergies.
Arachis ; Asthma ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Early Diagnosis ; Edible Grain ; Eggs ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Milk ; Ovum ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Skin ; Solanum tuberosum

This study explored the experiences of pregnant women with depressed mood participating ina group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program using video communication, based on Beck’s cognitive theory.Methods: The participants were six pregnant women out of 13 women who had participated in an 8-session group CBT program using video communication for women with depressed mood (EdinburghPostnatal Depression score of ≥9). Data were collected from February 20 through March 25, 2021. Indepth individual interviews were conducted through a video conferencing platform at 1 month post-baseline. Thematic analysis was done.Results: Three themes, 10 subthemes, and 38 concepts were derived from experiences of participating inthe 4-week group CBT program (twice a week). The first theme, entitled “continuing realization” hadsubthemes of “a negative and instable self,” “a selfish judgment that excludes others,” and “a strong beliefin self-control.” The second theme, entitled “attempt to change for restoration” had subthemes of “shift torational thinking,” “freedom from suppressed beliefs,” “tolerance of other people,” and “courage for self-expression.” The third theme, entitled “departure for a positive life,” had subthemes of “emotional healing,”“faith in oneself,” and “reestablishing the criteria for happiness.”Conclusion: Pregnant women with depressed mood expressed that continuing realizations and attemptsto change supported their transition toward a positive direction of healing. Thus, they were able to changetheir distorted thinking into rational thinking through CBT using video communication. These findingssupport the use of group CBT using video communication with pregnant women who have depressedmood.

Purpose: This study was done to analyze research articles and explore research trends in auriculotherapy between 2010 and 2019 in Korean academic journals. Methods: Domestic databases including KMbase, RISS, KISS, and NDSL were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2019. Research trends were analyzed according to The STandards Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines including research design, control group type, and intervention details from a total of 78 domestic papers. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by frequency and percentage. Results: Most studies were conducted in nursing. Regarding research design, a quasi-experimental design with a no-treatment control group was most common. There were 12 conditions with 4 participant categories. The most common intervention was four-point acupuncture-buried therapy. Interventions conducted weekly with cessation of 2 days for 6 weeks were popular. Regarding dropouts, few studies reported side-effects, with personal reasons being the most frequently reported. However, 50% of the studies failed to provide adequate information regarding intervention details according to the STRICTA guidelines, such as the practitioner background, ear point used for intervention, and a flow diagram. Conclusion Interventional studies on auriculotherapy have been steadily increasing and have included more diversified conditions. Future studies should investigate the effects of auriculotherapy with more rigorous design, and report more detailed information regarding interventions.

Huntington’s disease (HD) has become a target of the first clinical trials for gene therapy among movement disorders with a genetic origin. More than 100 clinical trials regarding HD have been tried, but all failed, although there were some improvements limited to symptomatic support. Compared to other neurogenetic disorders, HD is known to have a single genetic target. Thus, this is an advantage and its cure is more feasible than any other movement disorder with heterogeneous genetic causes. In this review paper, the authors attempt to cover the characteristics of HD itself while providing an overview of the gene transfer methods currently being researched, and will introduce an experimental trial with a preclinical model of HD followed by an update on the ongoing clinical trials for patients with HD.