BACKGROUND: Beating cardiomyocyte regeneration therapies have revealed as alternative therapeutics for heart transplantation. Nonetheless, the importance of nitric oxide (NO) in cardiomyocyte regeneration has been widely suggested, little has been reported concerning endogenous NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation. METHODS: Here, we used P19CL6 cells and a Myocardiac infarction (MI) model to confirm NO-induced protein modification and its role in cardiac beating. Two tyrosine (Tyr) residues of b2-tubulin (Y106 and Y340) underwent nitrosylation (Tyr-NO) by endogenously generated NO during cardiomyocyte differentiation from pre-cardiomyocyte-like P19CL6 cells. RESULTS: Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin mediated the interaction with Stathmin, which promotes microtubule disassembly, and was prominently observed in spontaneously beating cell clusters and mouse embryonic heart (E11.5d). In myocardial infarction mice, Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin in transplanted cells was closely related with cardiac troponin-T expression with their functional recovery, reduced infarct size and thickened left ventricular wall. CONCLUSION This is the first discovery of a new target molecule of NO, b2-tubulin, that can promote normal cardiac beating and cardiomyocyte regeneration. Taken together, we suggest therapeutic potential of Tyr-NO-b2-tubulin, for ischemic cardiomyocyte, which can reduce unexpected side effect of stem cell transplantation, arrhythmogenesis.

IgG4-related disease is a relatively new disease entity characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels and marked infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in lesions. Organ enlargement or nodular lesions consisting of abundant infiltration of lymphocytes and IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis are seen in various organs throughout. We encountered a patient with an inflammatory pseudotumor of the rectum, which was histopathologically confirmed to be an IgG4-related disease. The patient was a 28-year-old woman who had constipation for 3 months. The endoluminal ultrasonography showed a lesion that was heterogeneous and low echogenic in lower rectum. The result of colonoscopic biopsy findings was of chronic proctitis with lymphoid aggregates. For a confirmative diagnosis, excision was performed. Histopathological examination represented plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed prominence of IgG4-positive plasma cells and confirmed the diagnosis of IgG4-related disease. The patient is currently under observation on low-dose oral prednisolone without relapse.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Colonoscopy ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocytes ; Plasma Cells ; Prednisolone ; Proctitis ; Rectum* ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inter-reader and intra-reader reliabilities using the thoracolumbar injury classification system and severity score (TLICS) and to analyze the effects of reader experience on reliability and the possible reasons for discordant interpretations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six radiologists (two senior, two junior radiologists, and two residents) independently scored 100 MRI examinations of thoracolumbar spine injuries to assess injury morphology and posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) integrity according to the TLICS. Inter-reader and intra-reader agreements were determined and analyzed according to the number of years of radiologist experience. RESULTS: Inter-reader agreement between the six readers was moderate (k = 0.538 for the first and 0.537 for the second review) for injury morphology and fair to moderate (k = 0.440 for the first and 0.389 for the second review) for PLC integrity. No significant difference in inter-reader agreement was observed according to the number of years of radiologist experience. Intra-reader agreements showed a wide range (k = 0.538-0.822 for injury morphology and 0.423-0.616 for PLC integrity). Agreement was achieved in 44 for the first and 45 for the second review about injury morphology, as well as in 41 for the first and 38 for the second review of PLC integrity. A positive correlation was detected between injury morphology score and PLC integrity. CONCLUSION: The reliability of MRI for assessing thoracolumbar spinal injuries according to the TLICS was moderate for injury morphology and fair to moderate for PLC integrity, which may not be influenced by radiologist' experience.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; *Injury Severity Score ; Ligamentum Flavum/pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*injuries/pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observer Variation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Injuries/*classification/*pathology ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*injuries/pathology ; Thoracic Wall/pathology ; Young Adult

Nesidioblastosis is a term used to describe pathologic overgrowth of pancreatic islet cells. It also means maldistribution of islet cells within the ductules of exocrine pancreas. Generally, nesidioblastosis occurs in beta-cell and causes neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia or adult noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome. Alpha-cell nesidioblastosis and hyperplasia is an extremely rare disorder. It often accompanies glucagon-producing marco- and mircoadenoma without typical glucagonoma syndrome. A 35-year-old female was referred to our hospital with recurrent acute pancreatitis. On radiologic studies, 1.5 cm sized mass was noted in pancreas tail. Cytological evaluation with EUS-fine-needle aspiration suggested serous cystadenoma. She received distal pancreatectomy. The histologic examination revealed a 1.7 cm sized neuroendocrine tumor positive for immunohistochemical staining with glucagon antibody. Multiple glucagon-producing micro endocrine cell tumors were scattered next to the main tumor. Additionally, diffuse hyperplasia of pancreatic islets and ectopic proliferation of islet cells in centroacinar area, findings compatible to nesidioblastosis, were seen. These hyperplasia and almost all nesidioblastic cells were positive for glucagon immunochemistry. Even though serum glucagon level still remained higher than the reference value, she has been followed-up without any evidence of recurrence or hormone related symptoms. Herein, we report a case of alpha-cell nesidioblastosis and hyperplasia combined with glucagon-producing neuroendocrine tumor with literature review.
Adult ; Chromogranin A/blood ; Female ; Glucagon/*metabolism ; Glucagon-Secreting Cells/metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperplasia/complications/*diagnosis ; Islets of Langerhans/metabolism/ultrasonography ; Nesidioblastosis/complications/*diagnosis ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Pancreas/*pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Korean regression models for spirometric reference values are different from those of Americans. Using spirometry results of Korean adults, goodness-of-fits of the Korean and the USA Caucasian regression models for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were compared. METHODS: The number of study participants was 2,360 (1,124 males and 1,236 females). Spirometry was performed under the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society. After excluding unsuitable participants, spirometric data for 729 individuals (105 males and 624 females) was included in the statistical analysis. The estimated FVC and FEV1 values were compared with those measured. Goodness-of-fits for Korean and USA Caucasian models were compared using an F-test. RESULTS: In males, the expected values of FVC and FEV1 using the Korean model were 12.5% and 5.7% greater than those measured, respectively. The corresponding values for the USA Caucasian model were 3.5% and 0.6%. In females, the difference in FVC and FEV1 were 13.5% and 7.7% for the Korean model, and 6.3% and 0.4% for the USA model, respectively. Goodness-of-fit for the Korean model regarding FVC was not good to the study population, but the Korean regression model for FEV1, and the USA Caucasian models for FVC and FEV1 showed good fits to the measured data. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the USA Caucasian model correlates better to the measured data than the Korean model. Using reference values derived from the Korean model can lead to an overestimation regarding the prevalence of abnormal lung function.
Adult ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of Singh index (SI) values, determined on image software processed digital radiographs in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures, with respect to its value as a simple and inexpensive method to evaluate osteoporosis in acute trauma situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 210 patients (98 femur neck fractures, 112 intertrochanter fractures) treated between March 2005 and March 2009. Preoperative digital radiographs of each patient were assessed by four observers to determine SI values. The reliability of SI was expressed in terms of intraobserver and interobserver agreements in pairs using Fleiss's overall Kappa, Stuart's tau-c index, and Kendall's coefficiency of concordance. RESULTS: Fleiss's overall kappa values for intraobserver agreement ranged from 0.278 to 0.586 (mean, 0.452) and did not reach good reliability overall. Fleiss's overall kappa values for interobserver agreement ranged from 0.120 to 0.241 (mean, 0.180), and thus, did not reach acceptable reliability. CONCLUSION: The result suggest that the image adjustment tools provided by digital radiography cannot improve the usefulness of SI as a simple and inexpensive method of assessing the osteoporosis. Therefore, the reliability of SI good enough to be used for clinical and research work is questionable.
Aged ; Femoral Fractures ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Retrospective Studies

The oral lesion of acquired syphilis - primary, secondary, and tertiary - is comparatively rare. Most of the time secondary syphilis manifests itself as a systemic disease with maculopapular eruptions of the skin, generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, and occasional eruptions on the mucous membranes. The lesions of the tertiary stage may occur anywhere in the body, including the oral cavity. Necrotizing faciitis of the head and neck is an uncommon, rapidly spreading soft tissue infection of polymicrobial origin characterized by extensive necrosis and gas formation in the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. This is characterized by its fulminating, devastating, and rapid-progressing course. The mortality rate is high if it is not treated promptly and vigorously. Patients with an impaired immune system and those with small-vessel disease such as diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop this infection.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasciitis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Fever ; Head ; Humans ; Immune System ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mortality ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Syphilis*

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors belong to the group of sex-cord stromal tumors of the ovary. They account for less than 0.5% of all ovarian tumor. They occur predominantly at premenopausal women and rarely at postmenopausal and prepubertal. Most common symptom is menstrual disorder including vaginal bleeding. This symptom is the results of excessive testosterone production of Leydig cell. Masculinization is occasionally accompanied by this symptom. but approximately 50% of patients with SLCT have no endocrine manifestations. Prognosis prove generally favorable with 5-year survival rate of 70-90%. Recurrence is rare.The majority of these tumors are benign and are unilaterally (97-98%) localized. Surgery varies with patient age, tumor stage, and differentiation from unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and total hysterectomy concomitant with pelvic lymph node dissection. Herewith, we experienced a case of treatment advanced-stage Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with poorly differentiation in that is ascitic and metastatic in a 53 years old menopause woman who has no virilizing symptom. After all the tumor has resulted in fatal outcome despite of surgery and aggressive chemotherapy. Therefore we present it with review of literature.
Drug Therapy ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor* ; Survival Rate ; Testosterone ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors belong to the group of sex-cord stromal tumors of the ovary. They account for less than 0.5% of all ovarian tumor. They occur predominantly at premenopausal women and rarely at postmenopausal and prepubertal. Most common symptom is menstrual disorder including vaginal bleeding. This symptom is the results of excessive testosterone production of Leydig cell. Masculinization is occasionally accompanied by this symptom. but approximately 50% of patients with SLCT have no endocrine manifestations. Prognosis prove generally favorable with 5-year survival rate of 70-90%. Recurrence is rare.The majority of these tumors are benign and are unilaterally (97-98%) localized. Surgery varies with patient age, tumor stage, and differentiation from unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and total hysterectomy concomitant with pelvic lymph node dissection. Herewith, we experienced a case of treatment advanced-stage Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with poorly differentiation in that is ascitic and metastatic in a 53 years old menopause woman who has no virilizing symptom. After all the tumor has resulted in fatal outcome despite of surgery and aggressive chemotherapy. Therefore we present it with review of literature.
Drug Therapy ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor* ; Survival Rate ; Testosterone ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Nutcracker syndrome(renal vein entrapment syndrome) is probably more common than previously suspected. The nutcracker phenomenon refers to compression of left renal vein between aorta and superior mesenteric artery that results in elevation of pressure in left renal vein and develoment of collateral veins. This syndrome occurs in relatively young and previously healthy patients and is characterized by intermittent gross hematuria due to left renal vein hypertension, at times associated with flank pain, abdominal pain or varicocele. We report a 17 years-old male patient with this syndrome presented with flank pain, abdominal pain, and intermittent gross hematuria for 3 months. Urinalysis revealed protein(-), blood(+++), many RBC with only 1% of dysmorphic RBC. IVP and cystoscopy showed no remarkable finding but doppler ultrasonography and abdominal spiral CT revealed compression of left renal vein between aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Renal venography showed compression of left renal vein and collateral circulation to left gonadal vein and the pressure gradient between left renal vein and inferior vena cava was 11mmHg. The nutcracker syndrome should be considered as one of the causes of nonglomerular hematuria. All patients with unexplained severe left flank or abdominal pain, or unilateral hematuria from the left on cystoscopy, should be studied by selective renal venography and pressure measurement in inferior vena cava and renal veins. The patient with this typical syndrome could be treated surgically, by transposition of left renal vein and resection of collateral veins as the procedure of choice to correct the underlying pathologic process and eliminate these troublesome symptoms.
Abdominal Pain ; Adolescent ; Aorta ; Collateral Circulation ; Cystoscopy ; Flank Pain ; Gonads ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Phlebography ; Renal Veins ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Urinalysis ; Varicocele ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior