Microvilli are outer membrane organelles that contain cross-linked filamentous actin.Unlike well-characterized epithelial microvilli, T-cell microvilli are dynamic similar to those of filopodia, which grow and shrink intermittently via the alternate actin-assembly and -disassembly. T-cell microvilli are specialized for sensing Ags on the surface of Ag-presenting cells (APCs). Thus, these finger-shaped microprotrusions contain many signaling-related proteins and can serve as a signaling platforms that induce intracellular signals. However, they are not limited to sensing external information but can provide sites for parts of the cell-body to tear away from the cell. Cells are known to produce many types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, microvesicles, and membrane particles. T cells also produce EVs, but little is known about under what conditions T cells generate EVs and which types of EVs are released. We discovered that T cells produce few exosomes but release large amounsts of microvilli-derived particles during physical interaction with APCs. Although much is unanswered as to why T cells use the same organelles to sense Ags or to produce EVs, these events can significantly affect T cell fate, including clonal expansion and death. Since TCRs are localized at microvilli tips, this membrane event also raises a new question regarding long-standing paradigm in T cell biology; i.e., surface TCR downmodulation following T cell activation. Since T-cell microvilli particles carry T-cell message to their cognate partner, these particles are termed T-cell immunological synaptosomes (TISs). We discuss the potential physiological role of TISs and their application to immunotherapies.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly efficacious and safe modality for the treatment of recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), with overall success rates of 90%. Thus, FMT has been widely used for 10 years. The incidence and clinical characteristics of CDI, the main indication for FMT, differ between countries. To date, several guidelines have been published. However, most of them were published in Western countries and therefore cannot represent the Korean national healthcare systems. One of the barriers to performing FMT is a lack of national guidelines. Accordingly, multidisciplinary experts in this field have developed practical guidelines for FMT. The purpose of these guidelines is to aid physicians performing FMT, which can be adapted to treat CDI and other conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between baseline characteristics, three physical performance tests and fall history in a sample of the elderly from Korean population. METHODS: A total of 307 participants (mean age, 76.70±4.85 years) were categorized into one of two groups, i.e., fallers and non-fallers. Fifty-two participants who had reported falling unexpectedly at least once in the previous 12 months were assigned to the fallers group. Physical performance tests included Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test. The differences between the two study groups were compared and we analyzed the correlations between fall histories and physical performance tests. RESULTS: SPPB demonstrated a significant association with fall history. Although the BBS total scores did not show statistical significance, two dynamic balance test items of BBS (B12 and B13) showed a significant association among fallers. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that SPPB and two dynamic balance test items of the BBS can be used in screening for risk of falls in an ambulatory elderly population.
Accidental Falls ; Aged* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Humans ; Mass Screening

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis OBJECTIVES: Loss of fracture reduction after posterior surgery to treat unstable thoracolumbar fractures can cause several complications. We analyzed the factors influencing postoperative loss of reduction. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Controversy exists about the factors causing postoperative loss of reduction in thoracolumbar fractures during the follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 59 patients who underwent posterior surgery for thoracolumbar unstable fractures and had completed a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Postoperative loss of reduction was defined as 30% or more loss of vertebral body height or 15° or more progression of the kyphotic angle at the 1-year follow-up compared to immediately after surgery. The associations between the patients??gender, age, level of fracture, injury of the posterior column, initial loss of fractured vertebral body height, load-sharing score, Thoraco-Lumbar Injury Classification and Severity score, number of fixed segments, type of pedicle screws, degree of postoperative reduction, degree of postoperative corrected kyphotic angle, changes in the insertion angle of the most proximal and the most distal pedicle screws, decreases in the upper and lower disc height of the fractured vertebral body, and postoperative loss of reduction were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (22.0%) had postoperative loss of reduction. Age at the time of the operation (p=0.034), initial loss of fractured vertebral body height (p=0.042), and changes in the insertion angles of the most distal pedicle screws (p=0.021) were significantly associated with postoperative loss of reduction. However, the other factors did not show a significant relationship. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who underwent posterior surgery for unstable thoracolumbar fractures, the frequency of loss of reduction was high in patients more than 45 years old at the time of the operation, with a 50% or more loss of the initial fractured vertebral body height, and with changes of 5° or more in the insertion angles of the most distal pedicle screws.
Body Height ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies

Internal impingement syndrome is characterized by the posterior shoulder pain when the arm is abducted and external rotated, and articular partial rotator cuff tear with posterosuperior labral fraying in throwing athletes. Osteochondral lesion of humeral head as an associated lesion is reported in some cases but, not considered to be a main origin of the symptoms. We found the similar features of osteochondral lesion on humeral head in three cases of internal impingement syndrome irrespective of conservative treatment for over three months and report good results obtained from arthroscopic debridement and microfracturing for these lesions with a review of the literatures.
Arm ; Athletes ; Cartilage Diseases ; Debridement ; Humans ; Humeral Head* ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder Pain ; Shoulder*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a method for positioning the femoral stem in neutral position refer to the measured value of "lateral distance" in pre-operative templating and the femoral stem position post-operatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 hips in 76 patients underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty between March 2008 and April 2012 using the C2 stem (Lima Corporate S.P.A, Udine, Italy). We measured the perpendicular distance from the lateral outermost part of the greater trochanter to the lateral outermost part of the femoral stem (lateral distance, LD) in pre-operative templating. We aimed to insert the femoral stem in neutral position by comparing LD measured intra-operatively. We evaluated the position of the femoral stem on post-operative plain radiography. We compared the result of post-operative re-measurement of the LD with that of pre-operative measurement. RESULTS: In all of the 81 cases, the femoral stem was inserted in neutral position, defined as the femoral stem position within 3degreesvalgus or varus. The average angle of the inserted femoral stem was 1.20degrees(0.003-2.85degrees). LD measured in preoperative templating was 15.6 mm(10-21.5 mm), and it showed no correlation ratio with LD; LD re-measured post-operatively was 15.9 mm(10.3-23.5 mm) (P=0.781). CONCLUSION: Measuring LD pre-operatively and using the value intra-operatively is an effective method for insertion of the femoral stem in neutral position.
Arthroplasty ; Femur ; Hip ; Humans

A 73-year-old male was admitted for unhealed wound. Eight months ago, the patient had been operated for excision of soft tissue mass on left distal thigh area in previous hospital and after 4 months from first operation, had been reoperated because of recurrence. The pathologic diagnosis of previous operation was simple cyst. In operating finding, the mass invaded the vastus lateralis fascia and had irregular margin and adhesion. We carried out simple excision with retaining 5 cm of free margin from the mass. The pathologic diagnosis of our hospital was malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and then the patient was performed radiation therapy. In 1 year follow-up, there was no significant finding either increasing mass size or metastasis. We misdiagnosed as simple cyst and then performed simple excision, however finally pathologic diagnosis confirmed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It is considered to operate a mass that preoperative proper evaluation and diagnosis are required.
Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Recurrence ; Thigh

PURPOSE: We aim to analyze the clinical course and the recurrence patterns after surgical treatment in patients with intestinal Behcet's disease and to determine the prognostic factors. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with intestinal Behcet's disease who had undergone operations between 1979 and 2007 were analyzed. Clinical characteristics between the recurrent group (n=24) and the non-recurrent group (n=14) were compared. The cumulative recurrence rates were calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the results were compared by using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 120 months. The median age of the 38 patients was 36.5 years, and the patients included 26 males and 12 females. Recurrences after surgical treatment were observed in 24 patients, and reoperations were performed in 21 patients. The mean age at operation was 35.7 years in the recurrent group and was less than 43.4 years in the non-recurrent group (P=0.030). Clinical subtypes of Behcet's disease (complete or incomplete vs. suspicious) and the cause of operation (presence vs. absence of a perforation or fistula) were different between the recurrent and the non-recurrent groups (P=0.048, P=0.014, respectively). The 5-year cumulative recurrence rate and reoperation rate for all patients with intestinal Behcet's disease who underwent operations were 52.7% and 36.0%, respectively the clinical subtypes and the cause of the operation were significant factors affecting the cumulative recurrence and the reoperation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal Behcet's disease demonstrates high recurrence and reoperation rates after surgical treatment. More careful follow up is needed to these surgical patients with high risk of recurrence and reoperation.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Reoperation

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis of small vessels with deposition of IgA, commonly resulting in skin, joint, gastrointestinal, and kidney involvement. HSP is an uncommon disorder in adults and accounts for 0.6% to 2% of adult nephropathy. We report a case of HSP with acute renal failure successfully treated with corticosteroid. In this case, the patient presented with vasculitic purpuric rash on lower extremity, arthralgia in the wrist, abdominal pain, hematochezia, oliguria and azotemia. Abdominal CT showed wall thickening of the small and large bowels. Skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Percutaneous renal biopsy showed no crescent formation, but mesangial IgA and C3 deposits were observed by immunofluorescence. The patient was treated with corticosteroid (1mg/kg per day) and hemodialysis. After treatment, renal function improved and purpuric lesion, arthralgia and abdominal pain disappeared. Thus, when adults present with purpuric rash and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), HSP should be a diagnostic consideration.
Abdominal Pain ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Arthralgia ; Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Exanthema ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Joints ; Kidney ; Lower Extremity ; Oliguria ; Purpura ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin ; Vasculitis ; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous ; Wrist

OBJECTIVES: This multicenter clinical trial involving 13 hospital sites compared the safety of switching to olanzapine between 'direct switching method' and 'start-tapering switching method'. METHOD: This study included both inpatients and outpatients who fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia as defined in the ICD-10, and were in need to be appropriate for switching antipsychotics. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two switching methods. For 'direct switching method' group, previous antipsychotics were abruptly discontinued and 10mg of olanzapine was administered, whereas for 'start-tapering switching method' group, initially 10mg of olanzapine was administered and previous antipsychotics was gradually tapered for 2 weeks. Olanzapine was used for 6 weeks and the dose was adjusted within the range of 5-20mg. The safety of switching to olanzapine was measured with vital signs including body weight, adverse events reported spontaneously, laboratory tests, and various scales such as Simpson-Angus Scale(SAS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale(BARS), Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale(AIMS), and Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale(LUNSERS). RESULTS: 103 patients were switched to olanzapine in this study. The comparison between two switching methods did not show any significant difference in the dosage of olanzapine used, the concomitant use of benzodiazepine, the rate and reasons of drop-out, the adverse events, vital signs, laboratory tests, and most scales for measuring side-effects. However, the decrease in AIMS scores was significantly lower in 'direct switching method' group, and the concomitant use of anticholinergics was comparatively greater in 'start-tapering switching method' group. At baseline, SAS and BARS scores were 3.5 and 1.8 points respectively, and more than 70% of the subjects showed hyperprolactinemia. After switching to olanzapine, SAS, BARS, and AIMS scores were significantly decreased and the proportion of the patients with hyperprolactinemia was also decreased to less than 30%. However significant weight gain after the treatment of olanzapine was observed regardless of switching method. CONCLUSION: This study may suggest that switching to olanzapine can be done with relatively high safety regardless of switching methods and olanzapine can significantly decrease some side-effects induced by other antipsychotics.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Benzodiazepines ; Body Weight ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; Dyskinesias ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Inpatients ; International Classification of Diseases ; Outpatients ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Schizophrenia ; Vital Signs ; Weight Gain ; Weights and Measures