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.

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.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune disease, with symptoms of encephalopathy and high titers of serum anti-thyroid antibodies. Current diagnostic criteria include corticosteroid responsiveness, but in some cases, they are refractory to corticosteroids. In steroid non-responders, other immunomodulatory therapies could be applied. Recently, Rituximab is reported as a safe and effective treatment for Hashimoto's encephalopathy. We report a 50-year-old woman with Hashimoto's encephalopathy presented with confusion and catatonia who was refractory to corticosteroid and immunoglobulin but effectively treated with rituximab.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Brain Diseases ; Catatonia ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunomodulation ; Middle Aged ; Rituximab ; Thyroid Hormones

No abstract available.
Neuromyelitis Optica

Spark’s nevus is a compound word composed of Spitz nevus and Clark’s nevus. It is one of the combined melanocytic nevi which is more common in female and usually presents as a sharp circumscribed hyperpigmented macule on the lower extremities. On histopathologic findings, both cytologic features of Spitz nevus characterized as large spindle or epithelioid melanocytes containing large nuclei with abundant cytoplasm, and architecture of Clark’s nevus characterized as elongation of rete ridges, bridging of the nests, concentric and lamellar fibrosis can be seen. A 24-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic, solitary, dark-brown-colored papule surrounded by brownish patch that looked similar to dysplastic nevus or malignant melanoma on the buttock. On dermoscopic examination, it showed brown-to-black globules, diffuse homogenous pigmentation with blue-white structures, and a surrounding brownish reticular pattern that faded away. On histopathologic findings, overall asymmetrical structure, epithelioid large melanocytes containing large nuclei with abundant cytoplasm, and Kamino body were seen in the central portion. Also, lentiginous hyperplasia, bridging of the nests composed of melanocytes containing foamy cytoplasm, concentric and lamellar fibrosis along with the elongation of rete ridge, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration were seen in the peripheral portion. The diagnosis of Spark’s nevus was made. Following its definition, this combined nevus is diagnosed histopathologically, but the clinicodermoscopic features have not been well described. Herein, we report a case of Spark’s nevus in which dermoscopy was helpful for differentiating it from malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to explore the effects of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on potassium currents in rat vestibular nuclear neurons. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were anesthetized with ether and decapitated. After enzymatic digestion, the portion of medial vestibular nucleus neuron was removed by micropunching and gently agitated. The dissociated neurons were transferred into a recording chamber mounted on an inverted microscope and whole-cell membrane currents were recorded at room temperature by using standard patch-clamp techniques. RESULTS: When cells were held at -70 mV and depolarized from -60 mV to +40 mV in 10 mV increments, sustained outward potassium currents were evoked. The response of medial vestibular nuclear neurons to 5-HT was not uniform. The outward potassium currents were increased in 17 of 40 cells and decreased in 23 of 40 cells. 5-carboxamidotryptamine, 5-HT1 agonist increased the outward potassium currents of the medial vestibular nuclear cell. alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT2 agonist decreased the outward potassium currents of the medial vestibular nuclear cell. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 5-HT affects the potassium currents of the cell with different effects according to the receptor subtype on which it acts.
Animals ; Digestion ; Dihydroergotamine ; Ether ; Membranes ; Neurons* ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; Potassium* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists ; Serotonin* ; Vestibular Nuclei

Targetoid hemosiderotic nevus (THN) is a rare variant of melanocytic nevus, characterized by a sudden development of a targetoid ecchymotic halo around a pre-existing nevus. THN clinically raises concern for malignant transformation due to its abrupt change in color and size. THN should be distinguished from other diseases showing a peripheral halo, including targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma, halo nevus, and Meyerson nevus. Dermoscopy can help clinicians to differentiate THN from these diseases. The typical dermoscopic features of THN are known to be divided into two distinctive areas: the central melanocytic area and the peripheral ecchymotic area. In our case, dermoscopy revealed a novel bull’s eye pattern composed of a central area with characteristic features of benign melanocytic nevus, an intermediated white circular ring, and a peripheral milky red area. When a sudden change occurs in a pre-existing nodule showing targetoid features, dermoscopy should be considered before conducting a biopsy or surgical intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether orthodontic treatment experience affects the individual's perception of smile esthetics and to evaluate differences among orthodontically treated laypersons, non-treated laypersons, and dentists by using computerized image alterations. METHODS: A photograph of a woman's smile was digitally altered using a software image editing program. The alterations involved gingival margin height, crown width and length, incisal plane canting, and dental midline of the maxillary anterior teeth. Three groups of raters (orthodontically treated laypersons, non-treated laypersons, and dentists) evaluated the original and altered images using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The threshold for detecting changes in maxillary central incisor gingival margin height among laypersons was 1.5 mm; the threshold of dentists, who were more perceptive, was 1.0 mm. For maxillary lateral incisor crown width and height, the threshold of all three groups was 3.0 mm. Canting of the incisal plane was perceived when the canting was 3.0 mm among non-treated laypersons, 2.0 mm among treated laypersons, and 1.0 mm among dentists. Non-treated laypersons could not perceive dental midline shifts; however, treated laypersons and dentists perceived them when the shift was > or = 3.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Laypersons with and without orthodontic treatment experience and dentists have different perceptions of smile esthetics. Orthodontically treated laypersons were more critical than non-treated laypersons regarding incisal plane canting and dental midline shifts. Based on these findings, it is suggested that orthodontic treatment experience improved the esthetic perceptions of laypersons.
Crowns ; Dentists* ; Esthetics ; Humans ; Incisor ; Photography ; Tooth ; Visual Analog Scale

PURPOSE: Initial drug resistance of children with tuberculosis is a useful performance indicator of tuberculosis control programme in the concerned country because it represented infection transmitted from adult patients with either primary or acquired drug resistance. But there have been a few studies available. The present study was made to know the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in hopes of selecting effective treatment regimens for the treatment of childhood tuberculosis. METHODS: Tuberculosis patients were selected from those whose cultures had been submitted to drug susceptibility testing in the Korean National Tuberculosis Association from Jan. 1987 to Jun. 1995. We have investigated the drug resistance and reviewed retrospectively the medical records of children. A total of 48 strains were tested for drug susceptibility. Of these cases medical records were available in one half and 22 patients did not have a history of previous antituberculosis therapy. RESULTS: 1) Of the 48 strains, 18 (37.5%) were resistant to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The 14 (29.2%) and 8 (16.7%) strains were resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, respectively. The 7 (14.6%) strains were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin. 2) Of the 22 strains isolated from patients without previous therapy, 4 (18.2%) were resistant to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The 2 (9.1%) strains were resistant to isoniazid. There were no resistant strains to rifampin and to both isoniazid and rifampin. CONCLUSIONS: Primary resistance rate for isoniazid was 9.1%. These limited data suggested that four-drug regimens is indicated in childhood tuberculosis patients.
Adult ; Child* ; Drug Resistance ; Hope ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isoniazid ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant*

Ganglionneuroma is slow-growing benign neoplasm that orignates from the sympathetic nervous system. A case of dumb-bell shaped Ganglionneuroma at first and second cervical areas is presented on this paper with chief complaint of neck pain and quadriparesis. The tumor was totally removed under operating microscope and the diagnosis was pathohistologically confirmed. The postoperative result was good and relative literatures were reviewed.
Diagnosis ; Ganglioneuroma* ; Neck Pain ; Quadriplegia ; Sympathetic Nervous System