No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Primary Myelofibrosis*

No abstract available.

Annular pustular psoriasis is a rare variant of the generalized pustular psoriasis characterized by annular lesions with rapidly evolving pustules, associated mild toxicity, and rapid response to therapy. We present a case of annular pustular psoriasis in a 17-year-old male, in whom no previous history of psoriasis was found. The skin lesions were characterized clinically by annular to gyrate erythematous lesions with pinpoint pustules near the periphery on both shoulders, upper arms, and back areas. The histology showed large intraepidermal spongiform pustules. Most of the skin lesions disappeared within 1 week with topical corticosteroid cream.

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that acts on T-cells and cytokines. Although the efficacy of systemic cyclosporine in the treatment of psoriasis has been established, the relationship between response to cyclosporine and systemic inflammation using the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) immunoassay is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether systemic inflammation with clinical and laboratory findings indicate a response after 8 weeks of oral 3 mg/kg cyclosporine therapy in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with psoriasis were treated with oral cyclosporine for 8 weeks. The clinical response to oral cyclosporine was determined using the PASI score. The correlation between hs-CRP and the treatment response to cyclosporine was analyzed. Also, descriptive characteristics of psoriatic patients with psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and high BMI (BMI> or =25) were investigated. RESULTS: Hs-CRP levels and PASI scores were significantly reduced after 8 weeks of oral cyclosporine treatment. Eight patients showed excellent response, fifteen a good response, and twelve a moderate response. The baseline hs-CRP levels in excellent and good response groups (1.35+/-0.59 mg/L and 1.32+/-0.86 mg/L, respectively) to oral cyclosporine were significantly higher than the moderate response group (0.51+/-0.20 mg/L, p=0.004). Psoriatic patients with psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and high BMI demonstrated higher levels of baseline hs-CRP. Patients with psoriatic arthritis and metabolic syndrome showed greater response to cyclosporine treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with greater inflammatory burden, as demonstrated by elevated baseline hs-CRP, have better treatment responses to cyclosporine compared to patients with lesser inflammation.
Arthritis, Psoriatic ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cyclosporine ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Inflammation ; Psoriasis ; T-Lymphocytes

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon clinical variant, which clinically mimics other atrophic dermatological conditions. Given the typical 'protuberant' morphology of DFSP, such atrophic lesions may be difficult to diagnose clinically. We report a 44-year-old man who presented with an 8-month history of an asymptomatic, depressed, anetoderma-like plaque on the right subclavicular area. He also presented with a 1-year history of a 1.5x1.5 cm, asymptomatic, firm, erythematous nodule above an atrophic lesion. Biopsy specimens were taken from each lesion. These specimens, along with histochemical staining for CD34, established the diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Adult ; Anetoderma ; Biopsy ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Humans

PURPOSE: Two types of chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs), COS I and COS II, were investigated for the effects on ascitic tumor and enzymes for cancer chemoprevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chitosan oligosaccharides were administered once daily for 10 days after the tumor implantation. The change of body weight was observed for 20 days, and the survival rate of mice was determined after 21 days. Chitosan oligosaccharides were administered once daily for 10 days before the tumor implantation (1 106 cells). The number of ascitic tumor cells were measured at 6 days after tumor implantation. Chemopreventive potential of chitosan oligosaccharides was examined by the induction of quinone reductase and inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A1. RESULTS: Chitosan oligosaccharides exerted antitumor activity by inhibiting the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo. Mice given Ehrlich cells and 10 or 100 mg/kg body weight of chitosan oligosaccharides had 33% survival after 21 days. Quinone reductase activity was increased with chitosan oligosaccharides. There were 26% and 33% inhibition in the activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 enzyme with the treatment of COS I and COS II, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that chitosan oligosaccharides has antitumor activity and cancer chemo preventive potential by inducing QR activity and inhibiting cytochrome P450 1A1.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; Chemoprevention* ; Chitosan* ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Mice ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; Oligosaccharides ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common postoperative complication after the cardiac surgery. Postoperative ARF have various causes, and are combined with other complications rather than being the only a complication. It deteriorates the general condition of the patient, and makes it difficult to manage the combined complications by disturbing the adequate medication and fluid therapy. We have planned this study to evaluate the effects of postoperative ARF after the on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) on the recovery of patients and identify the risk factors. Method and Material: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass by a single surgeon from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002. We checked the preoperative factors; sex, age, history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL, preoperatively last checked serum creatinine, diabetes, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction, intraoperative factors; whether the operation is an emergent case or not, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, the number of distal anastomosis, postoperative factors; IABP. Then we have studied the relations of these factors and the cases of postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL. RESULT: There were 19 cases with postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL in a total 97 cases. Dialysis were done in 3 cases for ARF with pulmonary edema and severely reduced urine output. There were 8 cases (42.1%) with combined complications among the 19 patients. This finding showed a significant difference from the 5 cases (6.4%) in the patients whose creatinine level have not increased over 2.0 mg/dL. The mortalities are different as 1.3% to 10.5%. The risk factors that are related with postoperative serum creatinine increment over 2.0 mg/dL are diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Postoperative ARF after the on-pump CABG is related with preoperative diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. Postoperative ARF could be the reason for increased rate of complications and mortality after on-pump CABG. Therefore, in the patients with these risk factors, the efforts to prevent postoperative ARF like off-pump CABG should be considered.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Edema ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Thoracic Surgery

Bacteria ; Colon ; Crystallins ; Freezing ; Inflammation ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Mucous Membrane ; Peri-Implantitis ; Titanium

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases are increasing worldwide. However NTM lung disease in organ transplant recipients has been rarely reported. Here, we report 2 cases of NTM lung disease in heart transplant recipients. A 37-year-old man, who had undergone a heart transplant one year previous, was admitted to hospital due to a cough. Chest CT scan showed multiple centrilobular nodules in both lower lungs. In his sputum, M. abscessus was repeatedly identified by rpoB gene analysis. The patient improved after treatment with clarithromycin, imipenem, and amikacin. An additional patient, a 53-year-old woman who had undergone a heart transplant 4 years prior and who suffered from bronchiectasis, was admitted because of purulent sputum. The patient's chest CT scan revealed aggravated bronchiectasis; M. intracellulare was isolated repeatedly in her sputum. Treatment was successfully completed with clarithromycin, ethambutol, and ciprofloxacin. NTM lung disease should be considered as a potential opportunistic infection in organ transplant recipients.
Adult ; Amikacin ; Bronchiectasis ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clarithromycin ; Cough ; Ethambutol ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Opportunistic Infections ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Transplants