Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis is a warty form of cutaneous tuberculosis. It is a paucibacillary disorder caused by external reinfection of mycobacteria into the skin of previously sensitized individuals with moderate to strong cell-mediated immunity. Inoculation arises at sites of minor wounds, or rarely from the patient's sputum. Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis begins as a small papule and grows slowly by peripheral expansion, sometimes reaching a size of several centimeters or more in diameter. For definitive diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis, the demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential. However, the laboratory diagnosis of paucibacillary cutaneous tuberculosis is very difficult owing to the poor sensitivity of routine available methods. Herein, we report two cases of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis definitively confirmed by mycobacterial culture in Korean patients who had received bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination earlier in life.
Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Skin ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous ; Vaccination ; Wounds and Injuries

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic management of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. A major challenge in GI cancer treatment is the high rate of metastasis, which significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality. CTCs are crucial in the metastatic cascade, serving as indicators of tumor progression. Therefore, the detection and molecular characterization of CTCs have prognostic potential for identifying early-stage GI cancers and assessing metastatic probability, enabling timely treatment. Moreover, CTC analysis offers a minimally invasive method for real-time monitoring of tumors.Clinicians can adjust therapeutic strategies accordingly by tracking changes in CTC count and molecular profile. Despite this promising application, no standardized protocol for CTC isolation in GI tract cancers has been established, which poses a barrier to routine clinical use. This review explores the current CTC detection methodologies, their clinical relevance in GI cancer management, and the potential integration of CTC analysis into personalized medicine. We also discuss the challenges and future directions in CTC research, focusing on clinical validation and the development of standardized procedures to fully realize the utility of CTC count for improving patient care.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel SFTS bunyavirus (SFTSV), a member of the genus Phlebovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. SFTSV is believed to be transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis. Common symptoms of SFTS include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multi-organ failure with an average case-fatality rate of 12~30%. In 2009, SFTS was firstly reported in China. In 2013, 27 cases of SFTS were documented in Korea, and 6 cases were confirmed on Jeju Island. Although the pathogenesis and transmission mode of SFTS remain unclear, SFTS is now considered endemic in East Asia. Accordingly, SFTS needs to be differentiated from scrub typhus, leptospirosis, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. We here report 4 cases of SFTS preceded by a tick bite, which were in need of a differential diagnosis of scrub typhus.
Bunyaviridae ; China ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; Far East ; Fever* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Korea ; Leptospirosis ; Leukopenia ; Phlebovirus ; Scrub Typhus ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Tick Bites ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds occur due to failure of the normal healing process, associated with a lack of deposition of cellular components and a suitable microenvironment such as the extracellular matrix (ECM). Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is viewed as an ECM substitute, and a paste-type ADM has recently been introduced. We hypothesized that CGPaste, an injectable paste-type ADM, could serve as a scaffold and promote wound healing. METHODS: We retrospectively studied seven patients in whom CGPaste was applied between 2017 and 2018, who had pressure ulcers, necrotizing fasciitis, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic defects, and osteomyelitis. The goal of applying CGPaste was to achieve complete wound healing with re-epithelialization or growth of granulation tissue, depending upon the wound bed status. CGPaste was injected based on the wound size along with the application of a dressing. RESULTS: Four of the seven patients showed granulation tissue on their wound bed, while the other three patients had a bony wound bed. The mean wound area was 453.57 mm2 and the depth was 10.71 mm. Wound healing occurred in five of the seven patients (71.43%). The mean duration of complete healing was 2.4 weeks. Two patients showed failure due to paste absorption (29.57%); these patients had wound beds comprising bone with relatively large and deep wounds (40×30 and 30×20 mm2 in area and 15 and 10 mm in depth). CONCLUSIONS: CGPaste is an effective option for coverage of small and deep chronic wounds for which a flap operation or skin grafting is unfeasible.
Absorption ; Acellular Dermis* ; Bandages ; Diabetic Foot ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Osteomyelitis ; Pressure Ulcer ; Re-Epithelialization ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Ulcer* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

Contact burn is usually caused by prolonged contact to hot material and results in deep dermal injury. As a result, skin and soft tissue defects occur, and coverage of defect is required. When defect is located in the foot phalanxes, reconstruction becomes more challenging owing to anatomical features. If the patient has medical histories such as diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, or chronic kidney disease, peripheral circulation may be worsened, and reconstruction becomes more difficult. We present the case of a patient with contact burn wound on his foot phalanxes and dorsum, where extensor digitorum tendons were exposed. Initial trial of skin graft was failed and they were completely epithelialized through secondary-intention healing with the administration of ointment containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor.
Administration, Topical* ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; Burns ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Foot* ; Humans* ; Re-Epithelialization ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Skin* ; Tendons* ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

The creation of self-organizing liver organoids represents a significant, although modest, step toward addressing the ongoing organ shortage crisis in allogeneic liver transplantation. However, researchers have recognized that achieving a fully functional whole liver remains a distant goal, and the original ambition of organoid-based liver generation has been temporarily put on hold. Instead, liver organoids have revolutionized the field of hepatology, extending their influence into various domains of precision and molecular medicine. These 3D cultures, capable of replicating key features of human liver function and pathology, have opened new avenues for human-relevant disease modeling, CRISPR gene editing, and high-throughput drug screening that animal models cannot accomplish. Moreover, advancements in creating more complex systems have led to the development of multicellular assembloids, dynamic organoid-on-chip systems, and 3D bioprinting technologies. These innovations enable detailed modeling of liver microenvironments and complex tissue interactions. Progress in regenerative medicine and transplantation applications continues to evolve and strives to overcome the obstacles of biocompatibility and tumorigenecity. In this review, we examine the current state of liver organoid research by offering insights into where the field currently stands, and the pivotal developments that are shaping its future.

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

The creation of self-organizing liver organoids represents a significant, although modest, step toward addressing the ongoing organ shortage crisis in allogeneic liver transplantation. However, researchers have recognized that achieving a fully functional whole liver remains a distant goal, and the original ambition of organoid-based liver generation has been temporarily put on hold. Instead, liver organoids have revolutionized the field of hepatology, extending their influence into various domains of precision and molecular medicine. These 3D cultures, capable of replicating key features of human liver function and pathology, have opened new avenues for human-relevant disease modeling, CRISPR gene editing, and high-throughput drug screening that animal models cannot accomplish. Moreover, advancements in creating more complex systems have led to the development of multicellular assembloids, dynamic organoid-on-chip systems, and 3D bioprinting technologies. These innovations enable detailed modeling of liver microenvironments and complex tissue interactions. Progress in regenerative medicine and transplantation applications continues to evolve and strives to overcome the obstacles of biocompatibility and tumorigenecity. In this review, we examine the current state of liver organoid research by offering insights into where the field currently stands, and the pivotal developments that are shaping its future.

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.