Background: The exposome encompasses all factors people encounter through life, with the skin constantly exposed. While particulate matter (PM) and sleep deprivation are known to contribute to barrier dysfunction, their combined effects remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the independent and combined effects of PM exposure and short-term sleep deprivation on skin barrier function. Methods: Forty healthy Korean women (aged 24–58 years) were enrolled in this study. Forearms were divided into 4 sites: control, PM exposure, sleep deprivation, and PM plus sleep deprivation. Parameters such as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, roughness, and redness were measured at baseline and post-exposure. RNA sequencing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were conducted on tape-stripped skin samples. Results: PM exposure significantly increased TEWL (+25.59%, p<0.01), roughness (+21.9%, p<0.01), and redness (+13.7%, p<0.0001) while reducing elasticity (−3.98%, p<0.01). Sleep deprivation modestly reduced elasticity (−1.39%, p<0.05) without affecting other parameters.Combined PM and sleep deprivation did not further exacerbate barrier dysfunction compared to PM alone. RNA sequencing revealed reduced FLG and LORICRIN expression and upregulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (HSP90B1, CANX) in both PM and sleep deprivation conditions. Conclusion PM exposure impaired skin barrier function, while short-term sleep deprivation alone did not significantly affect the barrier, either independently or in combination with PM.However, it was observed that the sleep deprivation-only, while not directly causing barrier damage, induced changes in ER stress-related gene expression in tape-stripped skin samples, like the PM exposure-only. This suggests that such signaling pathways could potentially exacerbate skin barrier deterioration.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that can affect the cervical spine, especially the atlantoaxial region. The present study evaluated the risk factors for atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) development and progression in patients who have undergone surgical treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 62 patients with RA and surgically treated AAS between 2002 and 2015. Additionally, we identified 62 patients as controls using propensity score matching of sex and age among 12667 RA patients from a rheumatology registry between 2007 and 2015. We extracted patient data, including sex, age at diagnosis, age at surgery, disease duration, radiographic hand joint changes, and history of methotrexate use, and laboratory data, including presence of rheumatoid factor and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. RESULTS: The mean patient age at diagnosis was 38.0 years. The mean time interval between RA diagnosis and AAS surgery was 13.6±7.0 years. The risk factors for surgically treated AAS development were the serum CRP level (p=0.005) and radiographic hand joint erosion (p=0.009). The risk factors for AAS progression were a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion (p<0.001) and young age at RA diagnosis (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The CRP level at RA diagnosis and a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion might be risk factors for surgically treated AAS development in RA patients. Additionally, a short time interval between RA diagnosis and radiographic hand joint erosion and young age at RA diagnosis might be risk factors for AAS progression.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Diagnosis* ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Methotrexate ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Rheumatology ; Risk Factors* ; Spine

PURPOSE: Various laparoscopic wedge resection (LWR) techniques requiring gastrotomy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach have been applied to facilitate tumor resection and preserve the remnant gastric volume. However, there is the possibility of cancer cell dissemination during these procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the oncologic safety of LWR with gastrotomy (LWR-G) compared to LWR without luminal exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicopathologic and operative results of 193 patients who underwent LWR for gastric GIST were retrospectively analyzed from 2003 to 2013. We stratified the patients into two groups: LWR-G and LWR without gastrotomy (LWR-C). Clinicopathologic features, short-term outcomes, and long-term outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients underwent LWR-G, and 167 patients underwent LWR-C. The LWR-G group showed significantly more anterior wall-located (n=10, 38.5%), intraluminal (n=20, 76.9%), and ulcerative (n=13, 50.0%) tumors than the LWR-C group (n=33, 19.8%; n=96, 57.5%; n=46, 27.5%, respectively). Postoperative short-term outcomes did not differ between the two groups. When tumor staging was compared, no statistical difference was noted. There was no recurrence in the LWR-G group, while 2 patients in the LWR-C group experienced recurrence. The two recurrences in the LWR-C group were found in the liver and in the remnant stomach at 63 and 12 months after the operation, respectively. No gastric GIST-related death was recorded in any group during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: LWR-G for gastric GIST is an oncologically safe procedure even for masses with ulcerations.
Gastric Stump ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver ; Neoplasm Staging ; Phenobarbital ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ulcer

This multicenter study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and identify the risk factors for infectious complications after prostate surgery in Korean patients. A total of 424 patients who underwent surgery of the prostate were reviewed. All patients underwent urinalysis and urine culture preoperatively and postoperatively. Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis and risk factors for infectious complications were investigated. Infectious complications were observed in 34.9% of all patients. Factors independently associated with infectious complications were diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.09-3.65, P=0.025) and operation time (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.13, P=0.004). Clinicians should be aware of the high risk of infectious complications in patients with diabetes and those who undergo a prolonged operation time. Neither the type nor duration of prophylactic antibiotics resulted in differences in infectious complications.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/drug effects ; Enterococcus/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Postoperative Complications/microbiology/prevention & control ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatic Neoplasms/complications/*surgery ; Quinolones/pharmacology ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology

A 0.035-inch guide wire fracture and entrapment in a peripheral artery is a very rare complication, but when it does occur it may lead to life-threatening complications, such as perforation, thrombus formation, embolization, and subsequent limb ischemia. We describe our experience of successfully retrieving a fractured 0.035-inch Terumo guide wire in the external iliac artery using a biopsy forcep.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Arteries ; Biopsy ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemia ; Surgical Instruments ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES : We investigated the relationship between periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS : T2-weighted MRI scans were performed in 41 subjects with AD 38 subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 38 control subjects. Periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities were rated on a Fazekas 0-3 scale by a medical specialist of the department of radiology blind to clinical diagnosis. Cognitive function was assessed by using Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System. RESULTS : No significant differences between demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors were revealed comparing AD, MCI and controls. The frequencies of AD were significantly higher than those of MCI and normal control in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity and Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity. The scores of amnesia, executive function and attention were significantly lower in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity than in Grade 0 and 1. The scores of attention were significantly lower in Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity than in Grade 0, 1 and 2. CONCLUSION : Periventricualr hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in amnesia, executive function and attention, while deep white matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in attention.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amnesia ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Risk Factors ; Specialization

OBJECTIVES : We investigated the relationship between periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS : T2-weighted MRI scans were performed in 41 subjects with AD 38 subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 38 control subjects. Periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities were rated on a Fazekas 0-3 scale by a medical specialist of the department of radiology blind to clinical diagnosis. Cognitive function was assessed by using Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System. RESULTS : No significant differences between demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors were revealed comparing AD, MCI and controls. The frequencies of AD were significantly higher than those of MCI and normal control in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity and Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity. The scores of amnesia, executive function and attention were significantly lower in Grade 2 and 3 of periventricular hyperintensity than in Grade 0 and 1. The scores of attention were significantly lower in Grade 3 of deep white matter hyperintensity than in Grade 0, 1 and 2. CONCLUSION : Periventricualr hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in amnesia, executive function and attention, while deep white matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline in attention.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amnesia ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Risk Factors ; Specialization

Central nervous system involvement by tuberculosis is rare, and intramedullary involvement is even more rare. A patient that developed intermittent amnesia during anti-tuberculous therapy underwent brain CT and MRI and spine MRI. The latter showed multiple small enhancing nodules in the brain and spinal cord. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous medication and steroids under the suspected diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis. Follow-up CT showed decreased nodule size and number. We report a case of miliary tuberculosis in the brain and spinal cord and present a review of the literature related to similar cases.
Amnesia ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Central Nervous System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine ; Steroids ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System ; Tuberculosis, Miliary

PURPOSE: High interleukin-1 beta(IL-1beta) expression in the skin biopsy specimens of patients with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura(HSP) has been observed. We examined IL-1beta gene polymorphism in patients with HSP. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between IL-1beta gene polymorphism and renal involvement in HSP. METHODS: Patients from mideast Korea with HSP were studied. All patients had at least 6 months of follow up. Patients and ethnically matched controls were genotyped for IL-1beta gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Thirty-four patients(all younger than 15 years old) who had been diagnosed with HSP and 27 controls were examined. No allele or genotype differences between the HSP and control groups were observed. No significant association between the carriage of IL-1beta(-511) T allele and renal involvement(P=0.525, OR:1.417, CI:0.545-3.686) was found. CONCLUSION: In unselected patients with HSP, carriage of IL-1beta(-511) T allele does not appear to influence renal involvement.
Alleles ; Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-1beta* ; Interleukins* ; Korea ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch* ; Skin

Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor is the most common primary lung mass seen in children, but extraparenchymal involvement is relatively rare. We report here on a case of inflammatory pseudotumor involving the mediastinum and the pulmonary artery. A 48-year-old man presented with enlargement of the right hilum on a simple chest radiograph. He had a history of exertional dyspnea for 1 year. A non-homogeneous enhancing mass was noted in the right pulmonary artery on computed tomography. Mediastinotomy and pulmonary artery angiography with a forcep biopsy revealed inflammatory pseudotumor of the mediastinum and pulmonary artery.
Angiography ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dyspnea ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell* ; Humans ; Lung ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cell Granuloma, Pulmonary ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Surgical Instruments