Hepatic masses include a variety of benign and malignant lesions originating in the liver, and ultrasonography is one of the most basic and essential imaging tools for evaluating these lesions. This review comprehensively summarizes the ultrasonographic findings of hepatic masses by lesion type and examines the interpretation and clinical significance of each. In regions like Korea, where chronic liver disease is highly prevalent, the role of ultrasonography is particularly important. Accurate diagnosis and formulation of treatment strategies require skilled interpretation of ultrasound images.

A 50-year-old female with pheochromocytoma presented with chest pain and high blood pressure. Laboratory tests revealed elevated creatine kinase-MB (5.0 ng/mL), high-sensitivity troponin I (0.954 ng/mL), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (238 pg/mL). Echocardiography revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 48% with regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) consistent with the reverse Tako-Tsubo pattern. Coronary angiography and ergonovine provocation test were unremarkable. Cardiac fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance confirmed stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCMP) with myocardial edema. Catecholamine levels were markedly elevated one month prior. Whole-body PET/computed tomography identified a hypermetabolic 3.8 cm left adrenal mass, consistent with pheochromocytoma. Follow-up echocardiography showed complete recovery of LVEF and RWMA. Reverse Tako-Tsubo, an atypical variant of SCMP, presents with basal hypokinesis and apical sparing, unrelated to coronary territory. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing pheochromocytoma-induced SCMP and highlights the utility of multimodal imaging in its diagnosis and management.

Recent studies have revealed a significant relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), both of which commonly affect middle-aged and older men. These conditions share underlying causes, particularly endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and chronic pelvic ischemia (CPI). This study investigated the therapeutic potential of LDD175, a large-conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (BKCa channel) opener, in simultaneously treating both conditions using a CPI animal model of male Sprague Dawley rats. Our study investigated the induction of CPI through surgical endothelial damage combined with a high-cholesterol diet. We assessed erectile and voiding functions by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and intraurethral pressure (IUP), respectively, after nerve stimulation. We performed histological examinations of vascular changes and western blot analyses of cavernous and prostate tissues to understand the underlying mechanisms. This study evaluated the effectiveness of LDD175 compared to standard treatments, such as sildenafil for ED and tamsulosin for LUTS. Therefore, the CPI model successfully demonstrated ED and LUTS symptoms with decreased ICP and increased IUP. Analysis revealed elevated levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, transforming growth factor-β1 and β2 in cavernous tissue, and increased α1A-adrenoceptor expression in prostate tissue. LDD175 administration showed promising results, with dose-dependent improvements in ICP and IUP, and therapeutic effects comparable to those of established treatments. Our findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach that can simultaneously address ED and LUTS, opening new possibilities for clinical application in the treatment of these interconnected conditions.
Male ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/etiology* ; Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Tamsulosin ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/drug effects* ; Sildenafil Citrate/therapeutic use* ; Penis/blood supply* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Pelvis/blood supply* ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/agonists*

Taste buds relay taste sensory information to the primary taste neurons but depend on those same neurons for essential components to maintain function. While denervation-induced taste bud degeneration and subsequent regeneration were discovered decades ago, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena (e.g., heterogenous cellular responses to nerve injury and the signaling pathways involved) remain poorly understood. Here, using mouse genetics, nerve injury models, pharmacologic manipulation, and taste bud organoid models, we identify a specific subpopulation of taste cells, predominantly c-Kit-expressing sweet cells, that exhibit superior resistance to nerve injury. We found the c-Kit inhibitor imatinib selectively reduced the number of residual c-Kit-expressing sweet cells at post-operation week 2, subsequently attenuating the re-emergence of other type II cells by post-operation week 4. In taste bud organoids, c-Kit-expressing cells were resistant to R-spondin withdrawal but susceptible to imatinib, while other taste cell types showed the opposite behavior. We also observed a distinct population of residual taste cells that acquired stem-like properties, generating clonal descendent cells among suprabasal keratinocytes independent of c-Kit signaling. Together, our findings reveal that c-Kit signaling confers resilience on c-Kit-expressing sweet cells and supports the broader reconstruction of taste buds during the later regenerative stage following nerve injury.
Animals ; Taste Buds/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Imatinib Mesylate/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Primary cilia function as critical sensory organelles that mediate multiple signaling pathways, including the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, which is essential for organ patterning and morphogenesis. Disruptions in Hh signaling have been implicated in supernumerary tooth formation and molar fusion in mutant mice. Cilk1, a highly conserved serine/threonine-protein kinase localized within primary cilia, plays a critical role in ciliary transport. Loss of Cilk1 results in severe ciliopathy phenotypes, including polydactyly, edema, and cleft palate. However, the role of Cilk1 in tooth development remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of Cilk1 in tooth development. Cilk1 was found to be expressed in both the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments of developing molars. Cilk1 deficiency resulted in altered ciliary dynamics, characterized by reduced frequency and increased length, accompanied by downregulation of Hh target genes, such as Ptch1 and Sostdc1, leading to the formation of diastemal supernumerary teeth. Furthermore, in Cilk1^-/-;PCS1-MRCS1^△/△ mice, which exhibit a compounded suppression of Hh signaling, we uncovered a novel phenomenon: diastemal supernumerary teeth can be larger than first molars. Based on these findings, we propose a progressive model linking Hh signaling levels to sequential changes in tooth patterning: initially inducing diastemal supernumerary teeth, then enlarging them, and ultimately leading to molar fusion. This study reveals a previously unrecognized role of Cilk1 in controlling tooth morphology via Hh signaling and highlights how Hh signaling levels shape tooth patterning in a gradient-dependent manner.
Animals ; Hedgehog Proteins/physiology* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Tooth, Supernumerary ; Molar ; Cilia/physiology* ; Odontogenesis/physiology* ; Patched-1 Receptor ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology* ; Mice, Knockout ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in the level of concerns regarding exotropia surgery according to the perspectives regarding surgery and basic characteristics of parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia in South Korea. Methods: This study included the parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia who underwent surgery at five hospitals, between June 2022 and February 2023. Parental perspectives, basic characteristics, and levels of concern regarding surgery were assessed using a questionnaire. We investigated the differences in concern levels according to perspectives regarding surgery and basic characteristics among parents, such as sex, age, residential area, and the most influential factors in the decision-making for surgery. Results: A total of 266 parents were included (228 mothers; age, 40.0±4.7 years). Parents who chose surgery for subjective symptoms had higher levels of concern about hemorrhage, conjunctival redness, and persistent overcorrection than did those who chose surgery for cosmetic reasons (all p < 0.05). Fathers were more concerned about postoperative pain, compared to mothers (p = 0.039). Parents in their 40s and 50s had higher levels of concern about the hospital environment compared with those in their 20s and 30s (p = 0.003). Concern did not significantly differ by residential area. Conclusions The level of concern regarding surgery differed according to the perspectives and characteristics of the parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia. Parents who chose surgery for subjective symptoms of exotropia had a higher level of concern than did those who chose surgery for cosmetic reasons. The concern level differed according to the parents’ sex and age but not their residential area.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body composition and glaucoma by analyzing the associations between anthropometric and ocular parameters. Methods: A total of 494 eyes from 247 patients were reviewed from a general health examination database at a tertiary hospital. Anthropometric parameters were assessed using a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance device. Mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) was calculated based on systolic and diastolic blood pressures and intraocular pressure (IOP). Retinal thickness and other ocular parameters were analyzed for their association with body composition. Results: A total of 221 eyes from 221 patients, including 104 with glaucoma, were enrolled in the final analysis. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in patients with glaucomatous damage than in those without (p = 0.025). Higher IOP showed significant associations with lower MOPP (p < 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI; p = 0.001), and higher waist to hip ratio (p = 0.001). Retinal thickness was not significantly associated with body composition parameters, including BMI and appendicular lean mass adjusted with squared height. Higher MOPP was significantly correlated with lower IOP (p < 0.001), higher BMI (p < 0.001), higher waist to hip ratio (p < 0.001), and higher appendicular lean mass divided by squared height (p = 0.009). Conclusions Skeletal muscle mass and BMI were significantly associated with MOPP. Since low MOPP is a known risk factor for glaucoma, its association with skeletal muscle mass may indicate a relationship between systemic muscle health, ocular blood perfusion, and glaucomatous damage. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate these associations between skeletal muscle mass and glaucoma and explore their clinical implications.