Syndromal acanthosis nigricans is associated with cellular resistance to the action of insulin and other endocrinopathies. In the insulin resistant state, increased insulin binds to the receptors of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGFs are growth prompting peptides, which act as direct mitogens on cells containing the receptors. Through these actions, increased cellular growth and metabolism cause the skin lesions of acanthosis nigricans. Hyperandrogenism is also found in syndromal acanthosis nigricans patients. When associated with insulin resistance, these states are proportionally related. Increased insulin prompts the synthesis of androgen and conversely, increased androgen elevates the insulin resistance. We present three cases of syndromal acanthosis nigricans with hyperpigmented skin lesions and obesity. Laboratory findings demonstrated normal fasting blood suga levels with increased insulin and C-peptide levels and decreased insulin receptors. The oral glucose tolerance test was normal. We suggest that these patients were in an insulin resistant state. Skin biopsies from the axilla in all three cases showed hyperkeratosis, irregular acanthosis and upward projection of dermal papillae as finger like fashion. Thus all three cases represent syndromal acanthosis nigricans associated with an insulin resistant state based on clinical, histopathological, and laboratory findings. The three patients were treated with dietary control.
Acanthosis Nigricans* ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; C-Peptide ; Fasting ; Fingers ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Metabolism ; Mitogens ; Obesity ; Peptides ; Receptor, Insulin ; Skin ; Somatomedins

Bowenoid papulosis is manifested by clinically the benign-appearing papules of anogenital region and histopathologically similar features of squamous cellurar inoma in situ in human. A cause is thought to be Human Papillomavirus infection, type 16. The treatment is mainly through conservative management but others are topical application of podophyllin, shave excision, local excision, cryotherapy, electrodessication, topical applcation of 5-FU ointment and subcutaneous injection of recombinant interferon gamma. We present a case of Howenoid papulosis treated with DNCB imriunotherapy. The patient, had multiple papules on the penis with mild pruitus. Histopatnologic findings showed crowding and irregular arrangement of the nucleic many of which are large, hyperchromatic, and pleomorphic. Dyskeratotic and multinucleated keratinocytes wire also present, as were atypical mitoses, scattered in epidermal layer. We treated him with DNCB immunotherapy. Initially he was sensitized with 2,000 ug/0.1ml and two weeks later he received 50 ug/0.1ml per every week. After 3 weeks, he had showed no improvement and we elevated the dose to 100 ug/0.1ml. He was improved after 6th trial and his skir. lesions were almostly disappeared at present.
Crowding ; Cryotherapy ; Dinitrochlorobenzene* ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Interferons ; Keratinocytes ; Male ; Mitosis ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Penis ; Podophyllin

A 38-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of recurreit irticaria, abdominal pain and arthralgia of his finger joints. These symptoms were not con rolled in spite of taking medication and had a tendence to be aggravated in the winter. Laboratory findings revealed hvpocomlementemia, hypergammaglobulinemia and a positive rect on with an ice cube test. Skin biopsy specimen taken from the urticarial lesion of the left upper arm showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with perivascular neutrophilic infiltrition, nuclear dusts, and extravasation of red blood cells. We thus made the diagnosis of hypocomplementemic urtirarial vasculitis syndrome with cold urticaria. The patient was treatcd ith systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines.
Abdominal Pain ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Arm ; Arthralgia ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Erythrocytes ; Finger Joint ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hypergammaglobulinemia ; Ice ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Urticaria* ; Vasculitis*

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the socioeconomic factors related to tooth brushing behavior among adults in Korea. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) in 2019. Respondents aged 19 years and older (n=299,099) comprised the study sample. The dependent variable was tooth brushing behavior, whereas the independent variables were demographic and socioeconomic factors. The data were processed using chi-squared test, independent t-test, ANOVA, and adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA 17.0 program, with significance set at the 5% level. Results: About half (55%) of the respondents brushed their teeth at least twice a day. The findings also revealed significant differences according to socioeconomic status (P<.01). Those who brushed their teeth less than twice a day had the following characteristics: men, aged 45 years or older, low income, working outside, less educated, without a spouse, and living in rural areas. Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the area of residence contributed to tooth brushing behavior. Conclusions The area of residence, as well as socioeconomic status, should be considered in oral health education and intervention strategies.

With the explosive increase in exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones, public concerns have grown over the last few decades with regard to the potential effects of EMF exposure on the nervous system in the brain. Many researchers have suggested that RF-EMFs can effect diverse neuronal alterations in the brain, thereby affecting neuronal functions as well as behavior. Previously, we showed that long-term exposure to 835 MHz RF-EMF induces autophagy in the mice brain. In this study, we explore whether short-term exposure to RF-EMF leads to the autophagy pathway in the cerebral cortex and brainstem at 835 MHz with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 4 weeks. Increased levels of autophagy genes and proteins such as LC3B-II and Beclin1 were demonstrated and the accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was observed in cortical neurons whereas apoptosis pathways were up-regulated in the brainstem but not in the cortex following 4 weeks of RF exposure. Taken together, the present study indicates that monthly exposure to RF-EMF induces autophagy in the cerebral cortex and suggests that autophagic degradation in cortical neurons against a stress of 835 MHz RF during 4 weeks could correspond to adaptation to the RF stress environment. However, activation of apoptosis rather than autophagy in the brainstem is suggesting the differential responses to the RF-EMF stresses in the brain system.
Absorption ; Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Autophagy* ; Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Cell Phones ; Cerebral Cortex* ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Mice ; Nervous System ; Neurons

Matching for the rhesus (Rh) blood group is currently not taken into account in the organ allocation system. However, in Rh-mismatched transplantation, the primary concern is the potential for RhD-negative recipients to develop sensitization and produce anti-D antibodies if they receive a transfusion of RhD-positive blood. It is estimated that over 80% of RhD-negative recipients may experience Rh allosensitization when exposed to RhD-positive blood, although this occurrence is less common in recipients of solid organs. In theory, RhD-negative recipients who receive organs from RhD-positive donors are at risk of alloimmunization and the production of anti-D antibodies, which could complicate future blood product transfusions. However, our understanding of the impact of donor-recipient Rh mismatch on transplant outcomes, particularly in heart transplantation, is limited. We report a case of successful Rh-mismatched heart transplantation, which was effectively managed through the use of preoperative RhD immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis.

Recurrent bacterial meningitis in adults is a rare disease mostly due to traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and usually occurs within 2 weeks after head trauma. Recurrent bacterial meningitis shows high mortality and requires prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. However, diagnostic problems often arise when there may be no recent history of head injury, no direct radiologic evidence, and no CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea. A 43-year-old man who had head trauma 2 years ago was admitted two times during 3 months due to acute bacterial meningitis. Culture of CSF grew Streptococcus pneumoniae during the second admission. The temporal bone CT scan revealed the transverse fracture on the right temporal bone. CSF leakage through the fracture was corrected by the open cavity mastoidectomy with middle ear obliteration. After the operation further recurrence of bacterial meningitis has not occurred.
Adult ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diagnosis ; Ear, Middle ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Meningitis, Bacterial* ; Mortality ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Temporal Bone ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 3-year-old boy with Glenn physiology exhibited refractory heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. To improve the patient’s oxygen saturation, he underwent ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation with concomitant Fontan completion. The extracardiac conduit Fontan operation was performed with a 4-mm fenestration. For VAD implantation, Berlin Heart cannulas were positioned at the left ventricular apex and the neo-aorta. Following weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, a temporary continuous-flow VAD, equipped with an oxygenator, was utilized for support. After a stabilization period of 1 week, the continuous-flow VAD was replaced with a durable pulsatile-flow device. Following 3 months of support, the patient underwent transplantation without complications.The completion of the Fontan procedure at the time of VAD implantation, along with the use of a temporary continuous-flow device with an oxygenator, may aid in stabilizing postoperative hemodynamics. This approach could contribute to a safe transition to a durable pulsatile VAD in patients with Glenn physiology.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common problem for hemodialysis patients and is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality. We analyzed ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in hemodialysis patients and investigated if an adjustment of dry weight can be used to control blood pressure. METHODS: ABP was measured for twenty-four hours after hemodialysis. A bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups by the edema index. A normohydration (NH) group included patients with the edema index less than 0.40, and an overhydration (OH) group included patients with the edema index 0.40 or more. We accordingly adjusted the dry weight based on BIA results. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were recruited, comprising twenty-two men and fourteen women. In regard to the ABP, 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 140.2 +/- 19.7 mm Hg and 79.0 +/- 10.6 mm Hg, respectively. There was a significant association between 24-hour systolic blood pressure and the edema index (r = 0.501, p = 0.002). Twenty four-hour systolic blood pressure was significantly different between the NH and OH groups (median value, 132.0 vs. 150.5 mm Hg; p = 0.008). In OH group, after adjustment of the dry weight, the edema index was decreased from 0.411 +/- 0.009 to 0.389 +/- 0.047 and office systolic blood pressure was also decreased from 144.7 +/- 32.7 mm Hg to 125.3 +/- 15.4 mm Hg in OH group (p = 0.028 and p = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The edema index obtained by the bioimpedance analysis is significantly correlated with 24-hour systolic blood pressure in hemodialysis patients. Also, an adjustment of dry weight can be used to control blood pressure in hemodialysis patients.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Renal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is known as a cytokine central to the hematopoiesis of blood cells and to modulate their cellular functions. Besides granulocytes and their precursors, monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells are direct target cells of G-CSF action. G-CSF influences immune cells in an anti-inflammatory way. METHODS: To evaluate whether G-CSF has a potential for preventing or ameliorating diseases characterized by mucosal inflammation, we used a mouse model with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammatory colitis. To the mice model G-CSF was administrated daily by intraperitoneal injection. Macroscopic evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of colonic tissues were performed. RESULTS: Recombinant human G-CSF significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha mRNA expression in THP-1 cells. As for in vivo relevance, G-CSF dramatically reduced the weight loss of mice, colonic damage, and mucosal ulceration that characterize TNBS colitis. Moreover, G-CSF suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in TNBS colitis. CONCLUSION: Current results demonstrate that G-CSF may be an effective agent for the treatment of diseases characterized by mucosal inflammation.
Animals ; Blood Cells ; Colitis* ; Colon ; Colony-Stimulating Factors* ; Endothelial Cells ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes* ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Mice* ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Ulcer ; Weight Loss