Atrophic Gastritis: A Related Factor for Osteoporosis in Elderly Women

Purpose Osteoporosis poses a great threat to the aging society. Hypochlorhydric or achlorhydric conditions are risk factors for osteoporosis. Atrophic gastritis also decreases gastric acid production; however, the role of atrophic gastritis as a related factor for osteoporosis is unclear. We investigated the relationship between atrophic gastritis and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 60 years of age. Subjects and Methods A total of 401 postmenopausal women were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted during their medical check-ups. Bone mineral densitometry was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Atrophic gastritis was defined endoscopically if gastric mucosa in the antrum and the body were found to be atrophied and thinned and submucosal vessels could be well visualized. Results: The proportion of people with atrophic gastritis was higher in the osteoporotic group than in the group without osteoporosis. A linear relationship was observed in the proportion of atrophic gastritis according to the categories of normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis at the lumbar spine (p for trend = 0.039) and femur (p for trend = 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of atrophic gastritis was associated with an increased odds of osteoporosis after adjusting for age, body mass index, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and smoking status (odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.15–3.11). Conclusions: Atrophic gastritis is associated with an increased likelihood of osteoporosis in Korean elderly women

Papillary Cannulation Facilitated by Submucosal Saline Injection into an Intradiverticular Papilla

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) of the intradiverticular papilla with its invisible orifice remains challenging. Several techniques have been introduced to evert the papillary opening to facilitate cannulation. A 79-year-old woman with bile duct stones underwent ERCP, which revealed that the papilla was located inside a large diverticulum and tended to rotate inward with a trial of papillary cannulation. Submucosal papillary injection of 3 cc of normal saline was performed at 3 and 9 o’clock. Eversion and fixation of a papilla in the diverticulum with this technique allowed selective cannulation of the biliary tree. Stones were retrieved after endoscopic papillary balloon dilation without complications. She had an uneventful post-procedural course. Our findings suggest that submucosal saline injection technique is safe and effective for selective cannulation and can be recommended when cannulation is very difficult because of an intradiverticular papilla

High performance polymer light-emitting diodes with N-type metal oxide/conjugated polyelectrolyte hybrid charge transport layers

We present an interfacial engineering strategy employing n-type-metal-oxide/conjugated-polyelectrolyte (CPE) hybrid charge-transport layers for highly efficient polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). The hybrid metal-oxide/CPE layer facilitates electron-injection, while blocking hole-transport, and thereby maximizes electron-hole recombination within the emitting layer. A series of metal-oxide/CPE combinations were tested in inverted PLEDs (FTO/metal-oxide/CPF8BT/MoO3/Au). Specifically, HfO2/CPE double layer achieved an electroluminescence (EL) efficiency of up to 25.8 cd/A (@ 6.4 V, one of the highest values reported for fluorescent PLEDs).open11

Helical tomotherapy with concurrent capecitabine for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Helical tomotherapy, an advanced intensity-modulated radiation therapy with integrated CT imaging, permits highly conformal irradiation with sparing of normal tissue. Capecitabine, a pro-drug of 5-FU that induces thymidine phosphorylase can achieve higher levels of intracellular 5-FU when administered concurrently with radiation. We evaluated the feasibility as well as the clinical outcome of concurrent administration of capecitabine with tomotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nineteen patients with advanced pancreatic cancer including primarily unresectable disease and recurrence after curative surgery were included in the study. Two planning target volumes (PTV) were entered: PTV1 is gross tumor volume; and PTV2, the volume of the draining lymph nodes. The total doses to target 1 and target 2 were 55 and 50 Gy, respectively. Capecitabine at 1600 mg/m²/day was administered on each day of irradiation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty six measurable lesions were evaluated. Overall in-field response rate was 42.3%; partial responses were achieved in 53.3% of the pancreatic masses, 28.6% of distant metastatic lesions and 25.0% of regional lymph nodes. The median duration of follow-up after tomotherapy was 6.5 months. None of the lesions showed in-field progression. Treatment was well tolerated with only minor toxicities such as grade 1 nausea (one patient), grade 1 hand-foot syndrome (one patient) and grade 1/2 fatigue (three patients).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Helical tomotherapy with concurrent capecitabine is a feasible option without significant toxicities in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. We achieved excellent conformal distribution of radiation doses and minimal treatment-related toxicities with promising target volume responses.</p

Comparison of once-daily versus twice-daily combination of Ropinirole prolonged release in Parkinson¿s disease

Trial registration : This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00986245.Background : Ropinirole prolonged release (RPR) is a once-daily formulation. However, there may be individual pharmacokinetic differences so that multiple dosing may be preferred in some individuals. This study compares once-daily and twice-daily RPR in patients with Parkinsons disease. Methods : This study was an open-label crossover study. We enrolled Parkinsons disease patients on dopamine agonist therapy with unsatisfactory control such as motor fluctuation, dyskinesia and sleep-related problems. Agonists were switched into equivalent dose of RPR. Subjects were consecutively enrolled into either once-daily first or twice-daily first groups, and received the same amount of RPR in a single and two divided dosing for 8 weeks respectively in a crossover manner without a washout period. The primary outcome was a questionnaire of the preference completed by patients in the last visit. The secondary outcome measures included the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale part 3 (mUPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y); sleep questionnaire including overall quality of sleep, nocturnal off symptoms and early morning symptoms; Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS); compliances and patient global impression (PGI). Results : A total of 82 patients were enrolled and 61 completed the study. 31 patients preferred twice-daily regimen, 17 preferred the once-daily regimen, and 13 had no preference. Their mean mUPDRS, H&Y, ESS, sleep quality, compliance and adverse events were not statistically different in both regimens. PGI-improvement on wearing off defined was better in twice-daily dosing regimen. Conclusions : RPR is a once-daily formulation, but multiple dosing was preferred in many patients. Multiple dosing of RPR might be a therapeutic option if once-daily dosing is unsatisfactory.This study was supported by a grant of the Korea Health technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. (A101273, BSJ).Peer Reviewe

The First Korean Case of Cutaneous Lung Tissue Heterotopia

Cutaneous lung tissue heterotopia is a very rare disorder where mature lung tissues develop in the skin. This is only the second known report of cutaneous lung tissue heterotopia, with the first by Singer et al. in 1998. A newborn infant had a hemangioma-like, freely movable mass connected to the anterior aspect of the sternal manubrium. Pathologic findings showed mature lung tissues with bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli through the dermis and subcutis, and it was diagnosed as cutaneous lung tissue heterotopia. Cutaneous lung tissue heterotopia is hypervascular, so grossly it looks like a hemangioma. It can be differentiated from pulmonary sequestration, teratoma, bronchogenic cyst, and branchial cleft cyst by histology and the location of the mass. We describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of a cutaneous lung tissue heterotopia, the first reported in Korea

MiR-135-5p-p62 Axis Regulates Autophagic Flux, Tumorigenic Potential, and Cellular Interactions Mediated by Extracellular Vesicles During Allergic Inflammation

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between autophagy and allergic inflammation. In vitro allergic inflammation was accompanied by an increased autophagic flux in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL2H3) cells. 3-MA, an inhibitor of autophagic processes, negatively regulated allergic inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. The role of p62, a selective receptor of autophagy, in allergic inflammation was investigated. P62, increased by antigen stimulation, mediated in vitro allergic inflammation, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). P62 mediated cellular interactions during allergic inflammation. It also mediated tumorigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cells enhanced by PSA. TargetScan analysis predicted that miR-135-5p was a negative regulator of p62. Luciferase activity assay showed that miR-135-5p directly regulated p62. MiR-135-5p mimic negatively regulated features of allergic inflammation and inhibited tumorigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cells enhanced by PSA. MiR-135-5p mimic also inhibited cellular interactions during allergic inflammation. Extracellular vesicles mediated allergic inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. Extracellular vesicles were also necessary for cellular interactions during allergic inflammation. Transmission electron microscopy showed p62 within extracellular vesicles of antigen-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL2H3). Extracellular vesicles isolated from antigen-stimulated RBL2H3 cells induced activation of macrophages and enhanced invasion and migration potential of B16F1 mouse melanoma cells in a p62-dependent manner. Extracellular vesicles isolated from PSA-activated BALB/C mouse enhanced invasion and migration potential of B16F1 cells, and induced features of allergic inflammation in RBL2H3 cells. Thus, miR-135-5p-p62 axis might serve as a target for developing anti-allergy drugs

Functional analyses of miRNA-146b-5p during myogenic proliferation and differentiation in chicken myoblasts

Background In the poultry and livestock industries, precise genetic information is crucial for improving economic traits. Thus, functional genomic studies help to generate faster, healthier, and more efficient animal production. Chicken myoblast cells, which are required for muscle development and regeneration, are particularly important because chicken growth is closely related to muscle mass. Results In this study, we induced expression of microRNA-146b-5p mediated by the piggyBac transposon system in primary chicken myoblast (pCM) cells. Subsequently, we analyzed and compared the proliferation and differentiation capacity and also examined the expression of related genes in regular pCM (rpCM) cells and pCM cells overexpressing miRNA-146b-5p (pCM-146b OE cells). pCM-146b OE cells showed increased proliferation and upregulated gene expression related to cell proliferation. In addition, next-generation sequencing analyses were performed to compare global gene expression patterns between rpCM cells and pCM-146b OE cells. We found that the higher proliferation in pCM-146b OE cells was the result of upregulation of gene sets related to the cell cycle. Moreover, miRNA-146b-5p overexpression had inhibitory effects on myotube differentiation in pCM cells. Conclusions Collectively these results demonstrate that miR-146b-5p is closely related to the proliferation and differentiation of chicken myogenic cells as a modulator of post-transcription.This work was carried out with the support of Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No.PJ01334801) Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript

Extraskeletal Calcifications in Children with Maintenance Peritoneal Dialysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a common complication of CKD, often accompanied by extra-skeletal calcification in adult patients. As increased vascular calcification is predicted to increase cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, the revised Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommend avoiding calcium-containing phosphate chelators. However, extra-skeletal calcification is less commonly noticed in pediatric patients. Here, we report our experience of such a complication in pediatric patients receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis. Extra-skeletal calcification was noticed at the corneas, pelvic cavity, and soft tissues of the lower leg in 4 out of 32 patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis. These patients experienced the aggravation of extra-skeletal calcifications during peritoneal dialysis, and 2 of them underwent excisional operations. It is required to monitor extra-skeletal calcifications in children on kidney replacement therapy

Extradigit Glomus Tumor Causing Abdominal Pain -A Case Report-

Glomus tumors are small vascular tumors that are usually benign and rarely occur. They originate from glomus bodies and present in the reticular dermis. They are clinically distinguished by their small size and their ability to cause extreme pain. Most of these tumors are subungually located. However, atypical locations of the tumors sometimes cause misdiagnosis, particularly when the lesion is rarely reported. Therefore, we report a case of glomus tumor which presented with chronic abdominal pain, found in the abdominal wall that has never been reported before