OBJECTIVE: Hyperstimulation methods are broadly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with infertility; however, the side effects associated with these therapies, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), have not been well studied. N-glycoproteomes are subproteomes used for the remote sensing of ovarian stimulation in follicular growth. Glycoproteomic variation in human follicular fluid (hFF) has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify the glycoproteomes and N-glycoproteins (N-GPs) in natural and stimulated hFF using label-free nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quad time-of-flight mass spectrometry. METHODS: For profiling of the total proteome and glycoproteome, pooled protein samples from natural and stimulated hFF samples were selectively isolated using hydrazide chemistry to obtain the total proteomes and glycoproteomes. N-GPs were validated by the consensus sequence N-X-S/T (92.2% specificity for the N-glycomotif at p<0.05). All data were compared between natural versus hyperstimulated hFF samples. RESULTS: We detected 41 and 44 N-GPs in the natural and stimulated hFF samples, respectively. Importantly, we identified 11 N-GPs with greater than two-fold upregulation in stimulated hFF samples compared to natural hFF samples. We also validated the novel N-GPs thyroxine-binding globulin, vitamin D-binding protein, and complement proteins C3 and C9. CONCLUSION: We identified and classified N-GPs in hFF to improve our understanding of follicular physiology in patients requiring assisted reproduction. Our results provided important insights into the prevention of hyperstimulation side effects, such as OHSS.
Chemistry ; Complement System Proteins ; Consensus Sequence ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Follicular Fluid* ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Infertility ; Mass Spectrometry ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Ovulation Induction ; Physiology ; Proteome ; Proteomics ; Reproduction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroxine-Binding Globulin ; Up-Regulation ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein

In an effort to overcome the drawbacks of distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov external fixator, intramedullary lengthening devices have been developed and applied for long bone distraction osteogenesis. Several successful cases have been reported, leading to the next generation of distraction osteogenesis. However, intramedullary lengthening devices have their own problems, such as device failure, difficulty of control of the lengthening degree. The authors report on a case of device failure during distraction osteogenesis using ISKD(R) (Orthofix Inc.) in the distraction phase, and the strategy that involved switching to a lengthening over nail system, which uses the Ilizarov external fixator, in order to obtain the target length.
Equipment Failure ; Equipment Failure Analysis ; External Fixators ; Osteogenesis, Distraction*

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with systolic anterior motion (SAM) of mitral valve is not only limited to patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A diagnosis of LVOT obstruction with SAM is important because conventional inotropic support may potentially aggravate hemodynamic deterioration. We present a case of LVOT obstruction with SAM in a patient who underwent an emergent surgery for ascending aortic dissection with pericardial effusion. The patient showed refractory hypotension after standard pharmacologic interventions during induction of anesthesia. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed LVOT obstruction with SAM and it was managed appropriately under the guidance of TEE. Intraoperative TEE can play an important role in diagnosis and management of LVOT obstruction with SAM caused by pericardial effusion.
Anesthesia ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Mitral Valve ; Pericardial Effusion

BACKGROUND: There exists a treatment challenge with periungual warts. Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) has recently been reported to be an effective treatment for recalcitrant warts, including periungual types. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and preference of topical immunotherapy with DPCP in treating periungual warts. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with periungual warts who were treated with DPCP immunotherapy (2007 through 2010; Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea) were retrospectively recruited. Other treatment modalities were also used in some patients. Lesions were grouped into the types according to the following locations: proximal nail fold, lateral nail fold and hyponychium. Total and group clearance rates as well as treatment periods according to location and disease duration were evaluated. A patient questionnaire was performed to assess the satisfaction for the treatments in those who received multiple therapies. RESULTS: Total success rates were 85% (by subjects) and 91% (by individual lesions). Success rate and treatment period for proximal nail fold type seemed more desirable than other locations. Success rate decreased and treatment period increased as disease duration increased. The questionnaire revealed a significantly higher satisfaction rate for DPCP immunotherapy than for cryotherapy and pulsed-dye laser. CONCLUSION: Topical immunotherapy with DPCP is an effective and preferred method in the treatment of periungual warts.
Cryotherapy ; Cyclopropanes ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Warts* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Petrolatum

Vitiligo is an acquired cutaneous disorder of pigmentation with no definite etiology. Although there are a number of treatment modalities including phototherapy, topical corticosteroids and topical immunomodulators, few studies on the effect of systemic cyclosporine for the treatment of vitiligo have been conducted. We have experienced the improvement of vitiligo lesions after 8 months of systemic administration of cyclosporine (2.5~3.3 mg/kg/day) in a patient with vitiligo and atopic dermatitis. We believe this case report warrants further investigations of cyclosporine for the treatment of vitiligo in terms of mechanisms and clinical outcomes as well.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cyclosporine ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Phototherapy ; Pigmentation ; Vitiligo

Atypical fibroxanthoma is an uncommon spindle cell tumor that has a clinically benign course despite the presence of bizarre xanthoma cells. A 90-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of an ulcerative plaque on the right cheek. The initial punch biopsy revealed a benign histological appearance with prominent xanthomatous cells, but the specimen excised afterwards showed malignant features with a spindle and epithelioid cell proliferation with pleomorphism and atypia. The tumor cells stained positively for vimentin and CD68, they were partially positive for CD99 and CD10 and they were negative for CD34, S100, p63, desmin and actin. We report here on a case of atypical fibroxanthoma masquerading as xanthogranuloma.
Actins ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Cheek ; Desmin ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Ulcer ; Vimentin ; Xanthomatosis

Pacinian neuroma, also known as hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy of pacinian corpuscles is a rare skin condition usually occurring in the hand. Although it is known to cause pain and tenderness on the affected skin, asymptomatic cases have also been reported. We report a 46-year-old male monk who presented with asymptomatic skin lesions of paler color than the adjacent normal skin on the tips of the fingers of both hands. The 3 mm punch biopsy conducted on the lesion showed an increased number of onion bulb-like structures with a nerve fiber in each center. The patient was diagnosed with pacinian neuroma and has been under regular follow up without treatment.
Biopsy ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Fibers ; Neuroma ; Onions ; Pacinian Corpuscles ; Skin

Fixed drug eruption is a distinctive and clinically recognizable entity that is characterized by well-demarcated erythematous plaques recurring in exactly the same sites as on previous occasions. Unlike the pigmenting form of fixed drug eruption, nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption leaves no pigmentation when it resolves. We now report the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with diffuse ill-defined erythematous patches on both hands, feet and lower legs with a burning sensation, which is considered an atypical manifestation for fixed drug eruption. The patient had a history of similar skin lesions developing after medications on the corresponding regions. The patch test with suspected drugs showed negative reactions on both lesions and unaffected sites. The lesions were reproduced on the oral provocation test with codeine and resolved without pigmentation. The patient was diagnosed with nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption due to codeine.
Adult ; Burns ; Codeine ; Drug Eruptions ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Leg ; Patch Tests ; Pigmentation ; Sensation ; Skin

We performed a prospective cohort trial on 220 patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and taking aspirin to evaluate the effect of aspirin resistance on myocardial injury. The patients were divided into aspirin responders and aspirin non-responders by the value of the aspirin reaction units obtained preoperatively using the VerifyNow(TM) Aspirin Assay. The serum levels of troponin I were measured before surgery and 1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hr after surgery. In-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, graft occlusion, the postoperative blood loss and reexploration for bleeding were recorded. Of the 220 patients, 181 aspirin responders (82.3%) and 39 aspirin non-responders (17.7%) were defined. There were no significant differences in troponin I levels (ng/mL) between aspirin responders and aspirin non-responders: preoperative (0.04 +/- 0.08 vs 0.03 +/- 0.06; P = 0.56), postoperative 1 hr (0.72 +/- 0.87 vs 0.86 +/- 1.10; P = 0.54), 6 hr (2.92 +/- 8.76 vs 1.50 +/- 2.40; P = 0.94), 24 hr (4.16 +/- 13.44 vs 1.25 +/- 1.95; P = 0.52), 48 hr (2.15 +/- 7.06 vs 0.65 +/- 0.95; P = 0.64) and 72 hr (1.20 +/- 4.63 vs 0.38 +/- 0.56; P = 0.47). Moreover, no significant differences were observed with regard to in-hospital outcomes. In conclusion, preoperative aspirin resistance does not increase myocardial injury in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy might have protected aspirin resistant patients.
Aged ; Aspirin/*administration & dosage ; Cohort Studies ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/*adverse effects ; Coronary Disease/*surgery ; Drug Resistance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/*prevention & control ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology ; Preoperative Care/methods ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke/etiology ; Troponin I/blood