Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy is a global silent problem. Additionally, it is the leading cause of congenital infections, non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss, and neurodevelopmental delays in infants. However, this has barely been recognized globally. This condition lacks adequate attention, which is further emphasized by the lack of awareness among healthcare workers and the general population. The impact of CMV infection is often overlooked because of the asymptomatic nature of its presentation in infected pregnant women and newborns, difficulty in diagnosis, and the perception that infants born to women with pre-existing antibodies against CMV have normal neonatal outcomes. This article highlights the latest information on the epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, and development of CMV infection and its management. We reviewed the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of CMV infection in pregnant women, diagnostic methods, including screening and prognostic markers, and updates in treatment modalities. Current advancements in research on vaccination and hyperimmunoglobulins with worldwide treatment protocols are highlighted.

Background: We investigated the antidiabetic effects of DA-1241, a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 119 agonist, in vitro and in vivo. Methods: DA-1241 was administrated to high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice for 12 weeks after hyperglycaemia developed. Oral/intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were performed. Serum insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were measured during oral glucose tolerance test. Insulinoma cell line (INS-1E) cells and mouse islets were used to find whether DA-1241 directly stimulate insulin secretion in beta cell. HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the gluconeogenesis and autophagic process. Autophagic flux was evaluated by transfecting microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-fused to green fluorescent protein and monomeric red fluorescent (mRFP-GFP-LC3) expression vector to HepG2 cells. Results: Although DA-1241 treatment did not affect body weight gain and amount of food intake, fasting blood glucose level decreased along with increase in GLP-1 level. DA-1241 improved only oral glucose tolerance test and showed no effect in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. No significant effect was observed in insulin tolerance test. DA-1241 did not increase insulin secretion in INS-1E cell and mouse islets. DA-1241 reduced triglyceride content in the liver thereby improved fatty liver. Additionally, DA-1241 reduced gluconeogenic enzyme expression in HepG2 cells and mouse liver. DA-1241 reduced autophagic flow in HepG2 cells. Conclusion These findings suggested that DA-1241 augmented glucose-dependent insulin release via stimulation of GLP-1 secretion, and reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis, which might be associated with autophagic blockage, leading to improved glycaemic control.

Silent information regulator 2 (Sirtuin2 / SIRT2) is a NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase that regulates the cellular oxidative stress response. It modulates transcriptional silencing and protein stability through deacetylation of target proteins including histones. Previous studies have shown that SIRT2 plays a role in mood disorders and hippocampus-dependent cognitive function, but the underlying neurobiological mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we report that chronic stress suppresses SIRT2 expression in the hippocampus. Molecular and biochemical analyses indicate that the stress-induced decrease in the SIRT2 expression downregulates synaptic plasticity-related genes in the hippocampus through the increase of euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (Ehmt2) (also known as G9a). shRNA-mediated knockdown of SIRT2 in the dentate gyrus alters the expression of synaptic plasticity-related genes in a way similar to those induced by chronic stress, and produces depression-like behaviors. Our results indicate that SIRT2 plays an important role in the response to stress, thereby modulating depression-like behaviors.
Cognition ; Dentate Gyrus ; Depression ; Down-Regulation ; Hippocampus ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; Histones ; Mood Disorders ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Oxidative Stress ; Protein Stability ; Up-Regulation

Regulation of gastrointestinal hormones have been reported in animal models for constipation undergoing laxative therapy when administered herbal products. We undertook to investigate whether the laxative activity of gallotannin-enriched extracts isolated from Galla Rhois (GEGR) affects the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones, by examining the concentration of four hormones and the activation of their receptors in the loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation model. Stool parameters, including number, weight and water content, were significantly recovered in the Lop+GEGR treated group, relative to the Lop+vehicle treated group; however, food intake and water consumption were maintained at a constant level. Also, a similar recovery was detected for thickness of mucosa, muscle and flat luminal surface in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Furthermore, concentration of the four gastrointestinal hormones evaluated, namely, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SS) and motilin (MTL), were lower in the Lop+vehicle treated group than the No treated group, but were remarkably enhanced in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Moreover, the downstream signaling pathway of MTL and SS receptors were recovered after GEGR administration. Results of the present study therefore indicate that the laxative effects of GEGR treatment may be tightly related with the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones in the Lop-induced constipation model.
Animals ; Cholecystokinin ; Constipation* ; Drinking ; Eating ; Gastrins ; Gastrointestinal Hormones* ; Loperamide ; Models, Animal ; Motilin ; Mucous Membrane ; Phenobarbital ; Rats* ; Somatostatin ; Water

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is found in various organs as extranodal B cell lymphoma. The gastrointestinal tract is the most commonly involved extranodal site in MALT lymphoma. However, primary esophageal MALT lymphoma is very rare. In addition, few cases with metachronous gastric involvement have been reported. A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with MALT lymphoma by surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A 5 cm esophageal submucosal tumor-like lesion was incidentally revealed by screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy two years prior. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a cylindrically elongated submucosal mass with normal overlying mucosa in the mid esophagus. He underwent surgery to confirm the diagnosis. The pathologic diagnosis was esophageal MALT lymphoma. He was treated with radiation, which achieved complete remission. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and chest computed tomography were performed every three to six months, with no evidence of recurrence for 18 months. After 21 months, several elevated gastric erosions were found on the great curvature and posterior sides of the midbody and confirmed as MALT lymphoma pathologically. Here we report a case with MALT lymphoma metachronously involving the esophagus and stomach.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagus* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone* ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Recurrence ; Stomach* ; Thorax

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare disease of intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes without an obvious extravascular tumor mass or existence in peripheral blood. It has poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and rapid systemic dissemination. But there is no pathognomonic finding, diagnosis of IVLBCL is still challenging. Here we report a case of IVLBCL found within a resected specimen of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Diagnosis ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare disease of intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes without an obvious extravascular tumor mass or existence in peripheral blood. It has poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and rapid systemic dissemination. But there is no pathognomonic finding, diagnosis of IVLBCL is still challenging. Here we report a case of IVLBCL found within a resected specimen of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Diagnosis ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the push-out bond strengths of resin cement/fiber post systems to post space dentin using different application methods of resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty extracted human premolars were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups according to the technique used to place the cement into root canal: using lentulo-spiral instrument (group Lentulo), applying the cement onto the post surface (group Direct), and injecting the material using a specific elongation tip (group Elongation tip). After shaping and filling of the root canal, post space was drilled using Rely-X post drill. Rely-X fiber post was seated using Rely-X Unicem and resin cement was light polymerized. The root specimens were embedded in an acrylic resin and the specimens were sectioned perpendicularly to the long axis using a low-speed saw. Three slices per each root containing cross-sections of coronal, middle and apical part of the bonded fiber posts were obtained by sectioning. The push-out bond strength was measured using Universal Testing Machine. Specimens after bond failure were examined using operating microscope to evaluate the failure modes. RESULTS: Push-out bond strengths were statistically influenced by the root regions. Group using the elongation tip showed significantly higher bond strength than other ways. Most failures occurred at the cement/dentin interface or in a mixed mode. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an elongation tip seems to reduce the number of imperfections within the self-adhesive cement interface compared to the techniques such as direct applying with the post and lentulo-spiral technique.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Bicuspid ; Collodion ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentin ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Light ; Mandrillus ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Polymers ; Resin Cements

PURPOSE: The level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) varies according to both age and race. It is known that the level of PSA increases with age, and that Asians have a lower incidence of prostate cancer and levels of PSA than Caucasians. In this study, the variation in the serum PSA level in samples collected from general populations were used to find an actual standard age-specific PSA reference range for Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who received serum PSA level check-ups, between November 1998 and July 2005, at 8 domestic hospitals, were selected for the investigation. The PSA levels of 120,439 adult males, aged between 30 and 80 years, were measured, and those lower than 10ng/ml were analyzed. To estimate the increase in the level of serum PSA according to age, a simple linear regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The mean PSA level reference ranges according to age were 1.88, 1.92, 2.37, 3.56 and 5.19ng/ml for those in their thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and seventies, respectively. The rates of PSA change were 0.0023, 0.0175 and 0.0499 for those in their forties, fifties and sixties, respectively, indicating the rates of PSA level change increase steady with age, but these increases are greater for those in their fifties and most severe after their sixties. The level of age-specific PSA reference in Korean men was lower than that of men from Western countries. CONCLUSIONS: The age-specific PSA reference levels, as found in pre-existing literature, showed differences between races, with the overall reference levels being low for domestic data. The standard reference level of age-specific PSA for the screening of prostate cancer may be lower in Korean men than those from Western countries.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Continental Population Groups ; Humans ; Incidence ; Linear Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Reference Values*

Hypercalcemia due to hyperparathyroidism is a proposed mechanism of pancreatitis. The occurrence of acute pancreatitis caused by hypercalcemia represents a diagnostic clue for hyperparathyroidism. The incidence of acute pancreatitis caused by hyperparathyroidism appears to be decreasing, and it reflects the earlier diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism due to wide spread application of screening method. In a 71-year-old female patient who was admitted to hospital because of acute pancreatitis, hypercalcemia led to the discovery of the parathyroid adenoma. The patient recovered by parathyroidectomy with medical management of hypercalcemia.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism* ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Pancreatitis* ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Parathyroidectomy