Background: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and autophagy are both important to maintain skin homeostasis.However, they are also involved in skin disorders. So far, their roles in psoriasis pathogenesis are unknown. Objective: We studied the immunohistochemical and gene expression of AHR, CYP1A1, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) in lesional skin of psoriasis patients to determine correlations among them. Methods: We included 24psoriasis patients and ten healthy volunteers. Skin biopsies were collected. AHR, CYP1A1, and LC3 protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. AHR, CYP1A1, LC3, ATG5, BECN1 and Nrf2 mRNA levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: AHR and CYP1A1 protein expression were higher in psoriasis lesional skin than in normal skin. LC3 protein expression was lower in psoriasis lesions than in normal controls. AHR and CYP1A1 protein expression in psoriasis lesions showed significant positive correlations with mean epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell density. Significant negative correlations were noted between LC3 protein expression in psoriasis lesions and the mean epidermal thickness or inflammatory cell density. A significant negative correlation was found between AHR and LC3 expression in psoriatic skin. AHR, CYP1A1 and Nrf2 mRNA expression were upregulated while LC3, ATG5, and BECN1 mRNA were down-regulated, in psoriatic lesional skin compared with normal controls. Conclusion AHR and autophagy could play a role in psoriasis pathogenesis by modifying epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation. AHR and autophagy regulation are potential therapeutic targets in chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Women in the reproductive age group diagnosed with cervical cancer can receive radical trachelectomy for fertility preservation. Extremely short cervix following radical trachelectomy could result in cervical incompetence. Although prophylactic cervicoisthmic cerclage is placed at the time of radical trachelectomy, it might not be sufficient to prolong pregnancy. We present a successful term pregnancy after laparoscopic radical trachelectomy and concurrent cervicoisthmic cerclage for early stage cervical cancer.
Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trachelectomy ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Improved approaches for promoting umbilical cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homing are clinically important to enhance engraftment of CB-HSCs. Clinical transplantation of CB-HSCs is used to treat a wide range of disorders. However, an improved understanding of HSC chemotaxis is needed for facilitation of the engraftment process. We found that ectopic overexpression of miR-9 and antisense-miR-9 respectively down- and up-regulated C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression in CB-CD34⁺ cells as well as in 293T and TF-1 cell lines. Since CXCR4 is a specific receptor for the stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) chemotactic factor, we investigated whether sense miR-9 and antisense miR-9 influenced CXCR4-mediated chemotactic mobility of primary CB CD34⁺ cells and TF-1 cells. Ectopic overexpression of sense miR-9 and antisense miR-9 respectively down- and up-regulated SDF-1-mediated chemotactic cell mobility. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that miR-9 may play a role in regulating CXCR4 expression and SDF-1-mediated chemotactic activity of CB CD34⁺ cells.
Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; Chemotaxis ; Fetal Blood ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; MicroRNAs ; Stromal Cells

Thalassemia is hereditary disease characterized by impaired production of the normal globin peptide. Beta-thalassemia, a common disorder in Central Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, has been rarely reported in Korea. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypochromic, microcytic anemia. The genetic subtypes among the different ethnic groups vary; this may pose challenges in prenatal diagnosis or genetic counselling. During pregnancy, women with thalassemia will often show more significant anemia. Recently we have experienced Korean pregnant woman with beta-thalassemia associated with anemia. We describe this case with a brief review of the literature.
Africa, Central ; Anemia ; Asia, Southeastern ; beta-Thalassemia* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Globins ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle East ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Thalassemia

Sheehan's syndrome is postpartum hypopituitarism due to the necrosis of the pituitary gland. Usually, it is the result of severe hypotension caused by massive hemorrhage during or after delivery. A 40-year-old woman who had been performed cesarean section delivery was complicated by hemorrhage due to uterine atony. After transfusion and hysterectomy, she is gradually recovering her general condition. On 16th day after operation, she visited emergency room in critical condition with nausea, vomiting, and general weakness and laboratory finding was hyponatremia. So, we medicated her with hydrocortisone and thyroxine. Sheehan's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyponatremia in the early postpartum period.
Adult ; Cesarean Section ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypoglycemia ; Hyponatremia ; Hypopituitarism* ; Hypotension ; Hysterectomy ; Nausea ; Necrosis ; Pituitary Gland ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Thyroxine ; Uterine Inertia ; Vomiting

Ectopic pregnancy is an implantation of the fertilized ovum on a place except the endometrium. Most of the ectopic pregnancies are located at the fallopian tube. Few cases of retroperitoneal hematoma associated with ectopic pregnancy have been reported on previously; in each the retroperitoneal space had been the site of implantation. In contrast, we treated a patient with an ectopic pregnancy that implanted in the tube and then perforated through into the retroperitoneal space. To our knowledge this is very rare case of retroperitoneal hematoma caused by a ruptured tubal pregnancy.
Endometrium ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Zygote

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs due to various reasons and is associated with increased fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. FGR has been defined as having birth weight less than the 10th centile. The first clinically relevant step is the detection of true FGR, pathological small fetuses, associated with signs of abnormal placental insufficiency and poorer perinatal outcome. The role of obstetric management is to identify growth restricted fetuses at risk of chronic hypoxia in uterus, to monitor their wellbeing, and to deliver when the adverse outcome is imminent. The purpose of this document is to review the FGR with diagnosis, antenatal surveillance tools, and guidance for management and timing of delivery.
Anoxia ; Birth Weight ; Fetal Development* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Placental Insufficiency ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Uterus

Although liver diseases in pregnancy are rare, they can seriously affect mother and fetus. Although any type of liver disease can develop during pregnancy, it is difficult to identify features of liver disease in pregnant women because of physiological changes. Physiologic changes of pregnancy can be confounding with the symptoms of liver diseases. It can not only complicate mother's life but also burden life of fetus to growth restriction. We describe an uncommon case of acute hepatitis with disseminated intravascular coagulation and clinical chorioamnionitis coincidentally in mid-trimester pregnancy. She experienced the development of acute hepatitis of unknown causes. She presented with fever, maternal tachycardia, and fetal tachycardia. We decided termination of pregnancy because of 16 weeks' gestation. After termination, she was managed about acute hepatitis. So we report our case with a brief reviews of the literature.
Chorioamnionitis ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Female ; Fetus ; Fever ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Tachycardia

Gestational trophoblastic disease is an abnormal proliferations of trophoblastic tissue during pregnancy. Persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor develops in about 20% after evacuation of complete mole. Following evacuation of hydatidiform mole, the interpretation of serial serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regression patterns is important in monitoring the course of the disease. Because it is the most reliable and sensitive method for the early detection of gestational trophoblastic disease. We describe an uncommon case of complete hydatidiform mole in a 48-year-old woman, who has presented to us with complaints of bleeding. She experienced after the evacuation of a complete mole and no decreased in hCG levels over four consecutive serum hCG measurements. The patient underwent hysterectomy due to leiomyoma. Finally, pathologic diagnosis was confirmed persistent gestational trophoblastic disease.
Aged ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous* ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Hysterectomy ; Leiomyoma ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Relaxation* ; Pregnancy ; Propofol ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms ; Trophoblasts

Vasomotor symptoms start about 2 years prior to menopause in women who are approaching menopause, and early menopause symptoms appear including emotional disturbance and anxiety, followed by physical changes such as vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence and skin wrinkles. As time progresses, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia occur consecutively. Hormone therapy is primarily considered for the relief of menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women. However, as hormone replacement has emerged as a therapy that increases the potential risk of thrombosis, cerebral infarction and breast cancer, complementary and alternative medicine has drawn much attention. This study aimed to examine the types and effects of evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies that are currently used.
Affective Symptoms ; Anxiety ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Climacteric* ; Complementary Therapies ; Dementia ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; Menopause ; Osteoporosis ; Postmenopause ; Skin ; Urinary Incontinence