Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental pollutants that may impair maternal and fetal health by disrupting hormonal systems, including the thyroid. Both iodine deficiency and excess are associated with thyroid dysfunction and adverse obstetrical outcomes. However, the combined impacts of EDCs and iodine exposure on maternal-fetal thyroid homeostasis remain undetermined. We established the Investigating Birth and Thyroid Outcomes of Maternal-Fetal Environmental Exposures (IBM-E) cohort to prospectively assess the effects of maternal exposures to dietary iodine and EDCs on thyroid function, pregnancy complications, and offspring growth and development. Methods: In this prospective observational study, we aim to enroll 556 pregnant women between 2024 and 2027 at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Maternal blood and urine samples will be collected at six time points, spanning from early pregnancy through 15 months postpartum, with infant samples collected at three time points. EDCs will be quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Thyroid function and urinary iodine concentration will be measured in both mothers and infants. Results: As of the current interim analyses of 193 mothers and 229 neonates, 15.0% of mothers had thyroid dysfunction and 11.4% developed preeclampsia. Preterm birth occurred in 23.8% of cases, and 16.6% of neonates were small for gestational age. Conclusion The IBM-E cohort is designed to enable the longitudinal assessment of gestational environmental exposures and their potential impacts on maternal and fetal thyroid function, as well as pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. The findings of this study may inform preventive strategies and guide policy development in perinatal environmental health.

Ischemic and traumatic brain injuries are the major acute central nervous system disorders that need to be adequately diagnosed and treated. To find biomarkers for these acute brain injuries, plasma levels of some specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs, i.e., lipoxin A4 [LXA4], resolvin [Rv] E1, RvE2, RvD1 and RvD2), CD59 and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured at 0, 6, 24, 72, and 168 h after global cerebral ischemic (GCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in rats. Plasma LXA4 levels tended to increase at 24 and 72 h after GCI. Plasma RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 levels showed a biphasic response to GCI; a significant decrease at 6 h with a return to the levels of the sham group at 24 h, and again a decrease at 72 h. Plasma CD59 levels increased at 6 and 24 h post-GCI, and returned to basal levels at 72 h post-GCI. For TBI, plasma LXA4 levels tended to decrease, while RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 showed barely significant changes. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly increased after GCI and TBI, but with different time courses. These results show that plasma LXA4, RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, RvD2, and CD59 levels display differential responses to GCI and TBI, and need to be evaluated for their usefulness as biomarkers.

Ischemic and traumatic brain injuries are the major acute central nervous system disorders that need to be adequately diagnosed and treated. To find biomarkers for these acute brain injuries, plasma levels of some specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs, i.e., lipoxin A4 [LXA4], resolvin [Rv] E1, RvE2, RvD1 and RvD2), CD59 and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured at 0, 6, 24, 72, and 168 h after global cerebral ischemic (GCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in rats. Plasma LXA4 levels tended to increase at 24 and 72 h after GCI. Plasma RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 levels showed a biphasic response to GCI; a significant decrease at 6 h with a return to the levels of the sham group at 24 h, and again a decrease at 72 h. Plasma CD59 levels increased at 6 and 24 h post-GCI, and returned to basal levels at 72 h post-GCI. For TBI, plasma LXA4 levels tended to decrease, while RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 showed barely significant changes. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly increased after GCI and TBI, but with different time courses. These results show that plasma LXA4, RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, RvD2, and CD59 levels display differential responses to GCI and TBI, and need to be evaluated for their usefulness as biomarkers.

Background/Aims: Stress is closely related to the deterioration of digestive disease. Melatonin has potent anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of water stress (WS) and sleep deprivation (SD) on intestinal microbiota and roles of melatonin in stressful condition. Methods: We used C57BL/6 mice and specially designed water bath for stress and SD for 10 days. We measured melatonin concentrations in serum, feces, and colon tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography. Genomic DNA was extracted from feces and amplified using primers targeting V3 to V4 regions of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Results: Compared to the control, melatonin concentration was lower in the WS and SD. Fecal concentration was 0.132 pg/mL in control, 0.062 pg/mL in WS, and 0.068 pg/mL in SD. In colon tissue, it was 0.45 pg/mL in control, 0.007 pg/mL in WS, and 0.03 pg/mL in SD. After melatonin treatment, melatonin concentrations in feces and colon tissue were recovered to the level of control. Metagenomic analysis of microbiota showed abundance in colitogenic microbiota in WS and SD. Melatonin injection attenuated this harmful effect. WS and SD showed decreased Lactobacillales and increased Erysipelotrichales and Enterobacteriales. Melatonin treatment increased Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus and decreased Bacteroides massiliensis and Erysipelotrichaceae. Conclusions This study showed that stress and SD could affect intestinal dysbiosis and increase colitogenic microbiota, which could contribute to the aggravating digestive disease. Melatonin concentrations in feces and colon tissue decreased under WS and SD. Melatonin treatment brought recovery of melatonin concentration in colon tissue and modulating dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital anomaly of the lung in which it is separately supplied from the aorta or one of its branches. Bilateral pulmonary sequestration is very rare, particularly in adults. In bilateral pulmonary sequestration, resection of both sides is usually recommended if both sides are infected and symptomatic. We report the case of a 37-year-old female patient with bilateral intralobar pulmonary sequestration treated by staged bilateral lower lobectomy.
Adult ; Aorta ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Abscess

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance and its association with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase in Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: A total of 347 non-duplicated isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were collected between August and October 2006 from 2 hospitals. Qnr determinant screening was conducted using PCR amplification, and all positive results were confirmed by direct sequencing. Qnr-positive strains were determined on the basis of the presence of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase genes. RESULTS: The qnr gene was detected in 47 of 347 clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Among the 47 qnr-positive strains, Klebsiella pneumoniae (N=29) was the most common, followed by Escherichia coli (N=6), Enterobacter cloacae (N=6), Citrobacter freundii (N=5), and Enterobacter aerogenes (N=1). These isolates were identified as qnrA1 (N=6), 8 qnrB subtypes (N=40), and qnrS1 (N=1). At least 1 ESBL was detected in 38 of the 47 qnr-positive strains. Qnr-positive strains also showed high positive rates of ESBL or AmpC beta-lactamase, such as TEM, SHV, CTX-M, and DHA. DHA-1 was detected in 23 of 47 qnr-positive strains, and this was co-produced with 1 qnrA1 and 22 qnrB4. Strains harboring MIR-1T and CMY were also detected among the qnr-positive strains. Antimicrobial-resistance rates of qnr-positive strains to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, and moxifloxacin were 51.1%, 46.8%, 46.8%, 74.5%, and 53.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The qnr genes were highly prevalent in Enterobacteriaceae, primarily the qnrB subtypes. They were closely associated with EBSL and AmpC beta-lactamase.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/*genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/enzymology/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Enterobacteriaceae Infections/microbiology ; *Genetic Variation ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plasmids/genetics/*metabolism ; Quinolones/*pharmacology ; beta-Lactamases/biosynthesis/genetics

The Cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal (COFS) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by multiple abnormalities that involve the brain, face, eyes, and extremities. COFS syndrome is regarded as a degenerative disorder of the brain and spinal cord caused by a mutation of the DNA repair genes. We report on an 8-month-old girl with COFS syndrome who exhibited growth and developmental delay, hypotonia, microcephaly, nystagmus, cleft palate, widely separated nipples, inguinal hernia, camptodactyly, and rocker-bottom feet with vertical talus.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Brain ; Cleft Palate ; Cockayne Syndrome ; DNA Repair ; Extremities ; Eye ; Foot ; Growth and Development ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Humans ; Infant ; Microcephaly ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Nipples ; Spinal Cord ; Talus

Candida is the most common etiologic agent causing endogenous endophthalmitis resulting due to hematogenous spread from a remote primary focus. Risk factors for the infection include intravenous drug use, hyperalimentation, surgery, malignancy, diabetes, neutropenia, and the use of broad- spectrum antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents, especially corticosteroids. The outcome of candida endophthalmitis is disappointing. One main problem in the management of this infection is that early diagnosis is difficult. Thus, treatment may be delayed and this which often leads to a poor outcome. Candida endophthalmitis, particularly candida guilliermondii endophthalmitis, is extremely rare, although it is becoming more common as the number of chronically debilitated patients and the use of invasive procedures increase. It is an ophthalmologic emergency and commonly takes a tragic course. Therefore, early suspicion and aggressive management are imperative to prevent visual loss. The authors report a case of candida endophthalmitis caused by Candida guilliermondii in a 65-year-old man with mixed gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) and stomach adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Candida* ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Endophthalmitis* ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Neutropenia ; Risk Factors ; Stomach*

Candida is the most common etiologic agent causing endogenous endophthalmitis resulting due to hematogenous spread from a remote primary focus. Risk factors for the infection include intravenous drug use, hyperalimentation, surgery, malignancy, diabetes, neutropenia, and the use of broad- spectrum antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents, especially corticosteroids. The outcome of candida endophthalmitis is disappointing. One main problem in the management of this infection is that early diagnosis is difficult. Thus, treatment may be delayed and this which often leads to a poor outcome. Candida endophthalmitis, particularly candida guilliermondii endophthalmitis, is extremely rare, although it is becoming more common as the number of chronically debilitated patients and the use of invasive procedures increase. It is an ophthalmologic emergency and commonly takes a tragic course. Therefore, early suspicion and aggressive management are imperative to prevent visual loss. The authors report a case of candida endophthalmitis caused by Candida guilliermondii in a 65-year-old man with mixed gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) and stomach adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Candida* ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Endophthalmitis* ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Neutropenia ; Risk Factors ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine a more appropriate method for follow-up of carotid stenting by comparing the efficiency of US and CT angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven carotid arteries of seven patients(men: 5, women: 2, mean age: 56.4years) who underwent stent placement and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) because of carotid stenosis were studied. The follow-up periods ranged from three to eleven(mean, five) months, and US and CT angiography were performed in one day. Color duplex sonography was performed with a 10 MHz linear array transducer. After spiral CT scan were obtained, MPR images were reconstructed on a workstation. Retrospective imaging analysis specifically focused on [1] stent configuration, [2] the accuracy of internal diameter measurement, [3] the detection of blood flow and the measurement of blood flow velocity, [4] the presence of atheroma and intraluminal thrombi, [5] the measurement of stent location, and [6] artifacts. RESULT: US was more accurate than CT angiography for measuring internal diameter. In all cases, US and CT angiography were able to detect the blood flow at carotid artery, and utilizing the Doppler spectrum, flow velocity was measured. US showed atheromas in all cases but CT angiography demonstrated calcified atheromas in three cases only. In six cases, US failed to determine stent location, though in this respect CT angiography was successful in all cases. Artifacts of US were small reverbe ration artifact(11/11) of the stent and a defective color Doppler signal caused by acoustic shadowing of atheroma calcification(3/11). Artifacts of CT angiogrpahy were hard-beam artifact of the stent(11/11) and motion artifact(3/11). CONCLUSION: US was superior to CT angiography in accuracy of measuring stent diameter, hemodynamic assessment, high-resolution views of the luminal state of the stent and minimal artifacts for the non-inva s i ve follow-up studies of carotid stenting.
Acoustics ; Angiography* ; Angioplasty* ; Artifacts ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Phenobarbital ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Retrospective Studies ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Stents* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*