Purpose: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard management for relapsed or high-risk non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). We reported the busulfan, melphalan, and etoposide (BuME) conditioning regimen was effective in patients with relapsed or high-risk NHL. Moreover, the busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (BuCE) conditioning regimen has been used widely in ASCT for NHL. Therefore, based on these encouraging results, this randomized phase II multicenter trial compared the outcomes of BuME and BuCE as conditioning therapies for ASCT in patients with NHL. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either BuME (n=36) or BuCE (n=39). The BuME regimen was comprised of busulfan (3.2 mg/kg/day, intravenously) administered on days –7, –6, and –5, etoposide (400 mg/m2 intravenously) on days –5 and –4, and melphalan (50 mg/m2/day intravenously) on days –3 and –2. The BuCE regimen was comprised of busulfan (3.2 mg/kg/day intravenously) on days –7, –6, and –5, etoposide (400 mg/m2/day intravenously) on days –5 and –4, and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg/day intravenously) on days –3 and –2. The primary endpoint was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Seventy-five patients were enrolled. Eleven patients (30.5%) in the BuME group and 13 patients (33.3%) in the BuCE group had disease progression or died. The 2-year PFS rate was 65.4% in the BuME group and 60.6% in the BuCE group (p=0.746). There were no non-relapse mortalities within 100 days after transplantation. Conclusion There were no significant differences in PFS between the two groups. Therefore, busulfan-based conditioning regimens, BuME and BuCE, may be important treatment substitutes for the BCNU-containing regimens.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are currently used to treat patients with diabetes. Previous studies have demonstrated that treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors is accompanied by altered metabolic phenotypes. However, it has not been investigated whether the hypothalamic circuit participates in the development of the compensatory metabolic phenotypes triggered by the treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors. Methods: Mice were fed a standard diet or high-fat diet and treated with dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor. Food intake and energy expenditure were observed using indirect calorimetry system. The activity of hypothalamic neurons in response to dapagliflozin treatment was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with c-Fos antibody. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine gene expression patterns in the hypothalamus of dapagliflozin-treated mice. Results: Dapagliflozin-treated mice displayed enhanced food intake and reduced energy expenditure. Altered neuronal activities were observed in multiple hypothalamic nuclei in association with appetite regulation. Additionally, we found elevated immunosignals of agouti-related peptide neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Conclusion This study suggests the functional involvement of the hypothalamus in the development of the compensatory metabolic phenotypes induced by SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment.

Purpose: Multidisciplinary care has become a cornerstone of colorectal cancer management. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a geriatric multidisciplinary oncology clinic (GMOC), we analyzed the surgical treatment decision-making process and outcomes. Methods: This retrospective single-center study reviewed the data of patients aged ≥65 years who participated in the GMOC at a tertiary referral hospital between 2015 and 2021. The clinical adherence rate, comprehensive geriatric assessment, and a multidimensional frailty score (MFS) were obtained. The groups that were recommended and not recommended for surgery were compared, analyzing the factors impacting the decision and 1-year survival outcomes. Furthermore, the postoperative complications of patients who underwent surgery were evaluated. Results: A total of 165 patients visited the GMOC, and 74 had colorectal cancer (mean age, 85.5 years [range, 81.2–89.0 years]). Among patients with systemic disease (n = 31), 7 were recommended for surgery, and 5 underwent surgery. Among patients with locoregional disease (n = 43), 18 were recommended for surgery, and 12 underwent surgery. Patients recommended and not recommended for surgery had significantly different activities of daily living (ADL) (P = 0.024), instrumental ADL (P = 0.001), Mini-Mental State Examination (P = 0.014), delirium risk (P = 0.039), and MFS (P = 0.001). There was no difference in the 1-year overall survival between the 2 groups (P = 0.980). Of the 17 patients who underwent surgery, the median (interquartile range) of operation time was 165.0 minutes (120.0–270.0 minutes); hospital stay, 7.0 days (6.0–8.0 days); and 3 patients had wound complications. Conclusion Proper counseling of patients through the GMOC could lead to appropriate management and favorable outcomes.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for presence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Korean children and adolescents. A retrospective chart review of children and adolescents newly diagnosed with T1DM was conducted in seven secondary and tertiary centers in Korea. Eligible subjects were < 20 years of age and had records on the presence or absence of DKA at the time of T1DM diagnosis. DKA severity was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Data were collected on age, height, body weight, pubertal status, family history of diabetes, delayed diagnosis, preceding infections, health insurance status, and parental education level. A total of 361 patients (male 46.3%) with T1DM were included. Overall, 177 (49.0%) patients presented with DKA at T1DM diagnosis. Risk factors predicting DKA at T1DM diagnosis were age ≥ 12 years, lower serum C-peptide levels, presence of a preceding infection, and delayed diagnosis. Low parental education level and preceding infection increased the severity of DKA. These results suggest that alertness of the physician and public awareness of diabetes symptoms are needed to decrease the incidence and severity of DKA at T1DM diagnosis.
Adolescent* ; Body Height ; C-Peptide ; Child* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis* ; Diagnosis* ; Education ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Adrenocorticotropin-independent adrenal hyperplasias are rare diseases, which are classified into macronodular (>1 cm) and micronodular (≤1 cm) hyperplasia. Micronodular adrenal hyperplasia is subdivided into primary pigmented adrenocortical disease and a limited or nonpigmented form 'micronodular adrenocortical disease (MAD)', although considerable morphological and genetic overlap is observed between the 2 groups. We present an unusual case of a 44-month-old girl who was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome due to MAD. She had presented with spotty pigmentation on her oral mucosa, lips and conjunctivae and was diagnosed with multiple bone tumors in her femur, pelvis and skull base at the age of 8 years. Her bone tumor biopsies were compatible with osteoblastoma. This case highlights the importance of verifying the clinicopathologic correlation in Cushing syndrome and careful follow-up and screening for associated diseases.
Biopsy ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Conjunctiva ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Female ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Lip ; Mass Screening ; Mouth Mucosa ; Osteoblastoma* ; Pelvis ; Pigmentation ; Rare Diseases ; Skull Base

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics of full-term neonates with hypocalcemia and to suggest factors associated with neonatal hypocalcemia METHODS: The medical records of full-term neonates with hypocalcemia were reviewed. Hypocalcemia was defined as an ionized calcium (iCa) concentration of <4 mg/dL. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) insufficiency was defined as a serum PTH level of <60 pg/mL or a serum phosphorus level higher than the serum calcium level in the presence of hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Fifty-three neonates were enrolled. The median age at diagnosis of hypocalcemia was 3 days. In all the neonates, formula feeding predominance was observed. Thirty-eight neonates (69.8%) were compatible with PTH insufficiency. The number of formula-fed neonates was significantly higher than that of breast-fed patients among neonates with PTH insufficiency (P=0.017). Intact PTH was negatively correlated with serum phosphorus levels. Twelve out of 14 neonates (85.7%) had 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels <20 ng/mL and 9 neonates (64.3%) had 25OHD levels <10 ng/mL. Twenty-one neonates had hypocalcemic tetany. The serum calcium and iCa concentrations of neonates with tetany were 4.2-8.3 mg/dL and 1.85-3.88 mg/dL, respectively. Three neonates showed symptomatic hypocalcemia with calcium levels over 7.5 mg/dL. Among the 16 neonates who underwent electroencephalography (EEG), 12 had abnormalities, which normalized after 1-2 months. CONCLUSION: Formula milk feeding, PTH insufficiency and low serum vitamin D concentration are associated with the development of neonatal hypocalcemia. Symptoms such as tetany and QT interval prolongation can develop in relatively mild hypocalcemia. Moreover, transient neonatal hypocalcemia can cause transient EEG abnormalities.
Calcium ; Diagnosis ; Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Infant, Newborn ; Medical Records ; Milk ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Phosphorus ; Tetany ; Vitamin D

PURPOSE: This study investigated blood glucose levels in preterm babies according to gestational age (GA). METHODS: Subjects were 141 preterm infants with a GA<34 weeks. Data on blood glucose levels, GA, body weight, glucose infusion rate, and other contributing factors in the first 7 days after birth were analyzed. Hypoglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level of <40 mg/dL up to 24 hours after birth and as <50 mg/dL thereafter. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level >180 mg/dL. RESULTS: During the 7 days after birth, hypo- and hyperglycemia occurred in 29 (29 of 141, 20.6%) and 42 (42 of 141, 29.8%) neonates, respectively. During the first 2 hours, 18 neonates (12.8%) exhibited hypoglycemia, and only 2 (2 of 141, 1.4%) developed hyperglycemia. From 6 to 24 hours, hypo- and hyperglycemia were observed in 0 and 9 (9 of 141, 6.4%) neonates, respectively. Infants small for their GA (SGA) were at risk for hypoglycemia both within 24 hours (odds ratio [OR], 2.718; P=0.045) and during days 2 to 7 (OR, 4.454; P=0.006), and hyperglycemia during days 2 to 7 (OR, 3.200; P=0.005). Low 1-minite Apgar score was risk factor for both hypo- and hyperglycemia during days 2 to 7 (OR, 0.756; P=0.035 for hypoglycemia and OR, 0.789; P=0.016 for hyperglycemia). Both hypo- and hyperglycemia within 24 hours were less common in those who started feeding (OR, 0.294; P=0.013 for hypoglycemia and OR, 0.162; P=0.011 for hyperglycemia). CONCLUSION: Careful blood glucose level monitoring is required in preterm infants, especially SGA infants or those with low Apgar score. Early feeding could be beneficial for maintaining euglycemia.
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Blood Glucose* ; Body Weight ; Gestational Age* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Parturition* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Liposuction and laser ablation for treatment of osmidrosis are leading treatment methods for osmidrosis and have less complication compare to conventional surgical method. We treated patients with the two methods simultaneously to maximize the efficiency for less complication. METHODS: Eighteen patients with axillary osmidrosis (total 36 axillae) were included in this study. They had been treated by liposuction with diode laser ablation from December 2011 to August 2012. The results of operation was assessed by questionnaire subjectively and microscopic study objectively. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were followed over 10 months postoperatively (range, 10 to 18 months; mean, 13.8 months). The patients were satisfied with their results in terms of reduced foul odor except one patient. No hematoma, infections, skin necrosis, hair loss or hypertrophic scar occurred. And there was quantitative reduction of apocrine glands in microscopic study. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that simultaneous apply of liposuction with laser ablation which is clinically and histologically proven method for treatment of axillary osmidrosis could be more effective method than treatment with each method alone, and has same morbidity allowing the patients early exercise.
Apocrine Glands ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Hair ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Semiconductor* ; Lipectomy* ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Odors ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The aims of this study are to estimate the frequency of thyrotoxicosis associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (TAIT) and to investigate the characteristics of TAIT in children and adolescents. METHODS: 220 subjects who had shown thyroid autoimmunity before the age of 18 were included. All the subjects were divided as autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), Graves' disease and unspecified group. In addition, AIT was subdivided as TAIT and euthyroid or hypothyroid AIT. Clinical data were review and the variation of thyroid hormone status was investigated among the subjects with TAIT. RESULTS: Of 220 subjects who showed thyroid autoimmunity, 147 subjects were diagnosed as AIT and 47 were as Graves' disease. Among 147 subjects with AIT, 14 subjects (9.5%) had presented TAIT. Among 65 subjects who had initially presented with thyrotoxicosis, 8 subjects (12.3%) were compatible with TAIT. Whereas presenting symptoms of TAIT were similar to those of Graves' disease, Technetium-99m scan had showed thyroid with decreased uptake. The durations of thyrotoxicosis were several weeks. 6 of 14 TAIT subjects showed recurrent thyrotoxicosis, and 4 of 8 patients who had initially presented with thyrotoxicosis showed subclinical or overt hypothyroidism during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Possibility of TAIT should not be overlooked when a patient presents thyrotoxicosis, because this condition is not so rare in children and adolescents. Long term follow-up after resolution of thyrotoxicosis is necessary because of a diverse clinical course.
Adolescent ; Autoimmunity ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune ; Thyrotoxicosis