Holoprosencephaly is a developmental malformation complex of forebrain and midface which arises from incomplete cleavage of the embryonic forebrain. It is subdivided into alobar, semilobar and lobar types based on the degree of growth disturbance within the anterior wall of the telencephalon, particularly in the midline. Cyclopia is the most severe form of alobar holoprosencephaly presenting a single median eye and a blind-ending proboscis usually located above the eye. We report a case of alobar holoprosencephaly with cyclopia and proboscis in premature infant.
Holoprosencephaly* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Prosencephalon ; Telencephalon

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study OBJECTIVE: To use MRI to assess intervertebral disc degeneration at adjacent levels after spinal fusion and after discectomy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Degeneration of adjacent intervertebral discs following lumbar spinal fusion is one of the principal reasons for considering motion preservation techniques, such as placement of an artificial disc. Much attention has recently been directed toward disc morphometric studies using MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients who underwent spinal surgery for lumbar degenerative disease and who underwent a minimum of 2 years of follow-up MRIs were included in this study. Thirty-four patients were included in the lumbar fusion study group, and 22 patients were included in the discectomy control group. The MRI Thompson classification was used to grade both upper and lower adjacent disc degeneration preoperatively and at the time of last follow-up. RESULTS: There were significant changes in Thompson degenerative grade in the upper adjacent levels for both the fusion group patients and in the discectomy group patients. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to either the upper or lower adjacent levels (p=0.146 and 0.350, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this short-term study comparing MRI outcomes in spinal fusion and discectomy patients, no significant difference in adjacent disc degeneration was observed between the two group.
Case-Control Studies ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to elucidate neuroprotective effect of carnosine in early stage of stroke. METHODS: Early stage of rodent stroke model and neuroblastoma chemical hypoxia model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion and antimycin A. Neuroprotective effect of carnosine was investigated with 100, 250, and 500 mg of carnosine treatment. And antioxidant expression was analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot in brain and blood. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg carnosine induced significant decrease of infarct volume and expansion of penumbra (p<0.05). The expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed significant increase than in saline group in blood and brain (p<0.05). In the analysis of chemical hypoxia, carnosine induced increase of neuronal cell viability and decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. CONCLUSION: Carnosine has neuroprotective property which was related to antioxidant capacity in early stage of stroke. And, the oxidative stress should be considered one of major factor in early ischemic stroke.
Anoxia ; Antimycin A ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Carnosine* ; Cell Survival ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Ischemia* ; Neuroblastoma ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Rodentia* ; Stroke ; Superoxide Dismutase

We report a case of a recurrent psoas abscess caused by two different pathogens. The abdominal CT scans revealed a multiseptated cystic mass along the right psoas-iliacus muscle. The patient was treated with antibiotics treatment in combination with CT-guided percutaneous aspiration and drainage using a catheter. The microbiological examination revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Six months later, the patient presented with anorexia, malaise, epigastric pain, lower back pain and fever of 37.8 degrees C for a one-week duration. The abdominal CT scans revealed an abscess cavity on the inferior side of the right psoaos-iliacus muscle. This was accompanied by retrocecal appendicitis and a periappendiceal abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed that the psoas abscess was located on the right psoas-iliacus muscle. We performed an appendectomy and laparotomy. Subsequently, the culture yielded Escherichia coli in the psoas abscess. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a recurrent psoas abscess caused by two different pathogens.
Abscess ; Anorexia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Laparotomy ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvis ; Psoas Abscess* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between community-based social support and psychosocial distress in workers. METHODS: The study subjects were 596 workers recruited from 11 companies in Chungju city. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, job stress, work-based social support, community-based social support and level of psychosocial distress. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that workers with no chronic disease, exercise and sufficient sleep had a higher score of psychosocial distress than those with chronic disease, no exercise, and not enough sleep. Coworker's work-based social support and community-based social support were negatively associated with psychosocial distress. The R square value of total independent variables on psychosocial distress was 0.409, and that of community-based social support on psychosocial distress was 0.052. CONCLUSION: This study showed that community-based social support served as a protective factor against psychosocial distress in some workers. We recommend the establishment of a worksite stress reduction program in occupational level as well as community-based social support.
Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Questionnaires ; Workplace

Pregnancy outcomes for women uncontrolled diabetes mellitus are poor. Women with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, if pregnant, will develop pregnancy-related complications. In the case of severe renal failure and diabetes mellitus, the incidence of prematurity, low birth weight, and neonatal death increases. Despite these risks, there have been few reported cases of successful pregnancy outcomes for these women. Adherence to a schedule of strict glucose monitoring, blood pressure and volume control, correction of anemia, and intensive hemodialysis may play important roles in the management of these women. Successful pregnancy and childbirth in a patient with diabetic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis have not been previously reported in Korea, to our knowledge. Herein, we report a case of a successful pregnancy outcome in a patient with diabetic end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis.
Anemia ; Appointments and Schedules ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

Background: The C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) has been receiving attention as a potential pro-aging factor. Accordingly, it may be involved in muscle metabolism and sarcopenia, a key component of aging phenotypes. To clarify this potential, we investigated the effects of CCL11 on in vitro muscle biology and its clinical relevance for sarcopenia parameters in older adults. Methods: Myogenesis was induced in mouse C2C12 myoblasts with 2% horse serum. Human blood samples were collected from 79 participants who underwent a functional assessment. Thereafter, CCL11 level was measured using a quantikine ELISA kit. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian-specific guideline. Results: Recombinant CCL11 treatment significantly stimulated myogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, and consistently increased the expression of myogenic differentiation markers. Among the C-C chemokine receptors (CCRs), CCR5, not CCR2 and CCR3, was predominantly expressed in muscle cells. Further, the CCR5 inhibitor blocked recombinant CCL11-stimulated myogenesis. In a clinical study, serum CCL11 level was not significantly different according to the status of sarcopenia, low muscle mass, weak muscle strength, and poor physical performance, and was not associated with skeletal muscle index, grip strength, short physical performance battery score, gait speed, and time to complete 5 chair stands, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index. Conclusion Contrary to expectations, CCL11 exerted beneficial effects on muscle metabolism at least in vitro system. However, its impact on human muscle health was not evident, suggesting that circulating CCL11 may not be a useful biomarker for sarcopenia risk assessment in older adults.

Background: The C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) has been receiving attention as a potential pro-aging factor. Accordingly, it may be involved in muscle metabolism and sarcopenia, a key component of aging phenotypes. To clarify this potential, we investigated the effects of CCL11 on in vitro muscle biology and its clinical relevance for sarcopenia parameters in older adults. Methods: Myogenesis was induced in mouse C2C12 myoblasts with 2% horse serum. Human blood samples were collected from 79 participants who underwent a functional assessment. Thereafter, CCL11 level was measured using a quantikine ELISA kit. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian-specific guideline. Results: Recombinant CCL11 treatment significantly stimulated myogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, and consistently increased the expression of myogenic differentiation markers. Among the C-C chemokine receptors (CCRs), CCR5, not CCR2 and CCR3, was predominantly expressed in muscle cells. Further, the CCR5 inhibitor blocked recombinant CCL11-stimulated myogenesis. In a clinical study, serum CCL11 level was not significantly different according to the status of sarcopenia, low muscle mass, weak muscle strength, and poor physical performance, and was not associated with skeletal muscle index, grip strength, short physical performance battery score, gait speed, and time to complete 5 chair stands, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index. Conclusion Contrary to expectations, CCL11 exerted beneficial effects on muscle metabolism at least in vitro system. However, its impact on human muscle health was not evident, suggesting that circulating CCL11 may not be a useful biomarker for sarcopenia risk assessment in older adults.

Toxic hepatitis has been reported as a major cause of acute hepatitis, but its potential induction by herbal remedies and/or health foods is usually neglected. We experienced a case of toxic hepatitis associated with Polygoni multiflori, a Chinese herb commonly known as Ho-Shou-Wu. A 54-year-old woman consumed Ho-Shou-Wu for 1 month, after which she experienced fatigue and overall weakness. A diagnosis of toxic hepatitis was made based on her clinical history, the findings for viral markers and other laboratory data, and ultrasonography. Her condition improved considerably after she stopped taking Ho-Shou-Wu. However, she resumed taking Ho-Shou-Wu immediately after discharge from hospital, which aggravated her symptoms and liver function. She was immediately readmitted and stopped taking Ho-Shou-Wu. Her relapse into hepatitis immediate after resuming consumption of the herb is strongly indicative of the validity of Koch's postulate in this case.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Plant Extracts/toxicity ; Polygonum/*toxicity

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an immunologically mediated disease resulted from repeated exposure to sensitizing agents such as organic dusts or chemicals. We report two cases of familial hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed by typical symptoms, physical findings, chest x-ray abnormalities, and histologic findings with a brief review of the literature. A 60-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband successively presented with dry cough and exertional dyspnea. These symptoms developed about 20 days after the womon had started feeding cows with stored hay. The same symptoms also developed in her husband when he had handled the stored hay instead of her because of her illness. We confirmed hypersensitivity pneumonitis with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis and open and transbronchial lung biopsies.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Biopsy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cough ; Dust ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Spouses ; Thorax