Effects of Dietary Taurine-Containing Jelly Supplementation on Academic-Related Characteristics and Academic Achievement in Korean College Entrance Examinees: A Pilot Study.

Taurine is known to play roles in fatigue recovery and relief of anxiety and stress. This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary taurine-containing jelly supplementation on the academic-related characteristics of Korean college entrance examinees. The jelly contained 3 g of taurine in a packet and was provided to the subjects with one packet per day for 2 weeks. The academic-related characteristics of subjects were evaluated by academic-related attitude (using School Attitude Assessment Survey-R; SAAS-R), CEES (college entrance examination stress), and SRL (self-regulated learning) and academic achievement and were conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The total number of subjects in this study was 17, and they were divided into taurine supplementation group (n = 9, TSG) and placebo group (n = 8, PG) by randomization. The results were compared before and after 2 weeks of dietary taurine-containing jelly supplementation for each group. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0. The total score (p = 0.069) and motivation/self-regulation score (p = 0.060) in SAAS-R tended to be significantly higher in the TSG after 2 weeks of supplementation compared to before supplementation. The score change of academic achievement in TSG was positively correlated with a total score change of SRL. In addition, as a result of simple regression analysis, a total score changes of SRL had a positive effect on a change of academic achievement score in TSG (explanatory power: 42.9%). The results of this pilot study showed that dietary taurine-containing jelly supplementation may have some effects on academic-related characteristics with a positive change in SRL. Therefore, it may be beneficial to supplement dietary taurine-containing jelly to improve academic-related characteristics such as self-regulated learning of students preparing for the college entrance exam.

Periosteal chondroma with spinal cord compression in the thoracic spinal canal: a case report.

Periosteal chondroma is a very unusual cartilaginous neoplasm of the spinal canal. We herein report a case of periosteal chondroma in a 41-year-old male who presented with gait disturbance and paresthesia of both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed an extradural mass which caused compression of the spinal cord at the T5/6 level. The mass showed iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and nodular and peripheral rim enhancement on post-contrast T1-weighted images. Computed tomography (CT) images showed a mass with punctate calcifications and extension into the left T5/6 neural foramen. MR and CT images showed extrinsic cortical bone erosion of the posterior inferior body of T5 and superior pedicle of T6, bone remodeling with overhanging margins, and sclerosis adjacent to the tumor. The patient underwent a complete excision of the mass by left T5/6 hemi-laminectomy and exhibited complete resolution of his symptoms. Histopathologic examination revealed periosteal chondroma. Tumor recurrence was not recorded during the 18-month follow-up period.

Gastrosplenic fistula occurring in lymphoma patients: Systematic review with a new case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

AIM: To provide the overall spectrum of gastrosplenic fistula (GSF) occurring in lymphomas through a systematic review including a patient at our hospital. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database to identify studies of GSF occurring in lymphomas. A computerized search of our institutional database was also performed. In all cases, we analyzed the clinicopathologic/radiologic features, treatment and outcome of GSF occurring in lymphomas. RESULTS: A literature search identified 25 relevant studies with 26 patients. Our institutional data search added 1 patient. Systematic review of the total 27 cases revealed that GSF occurred mainly in diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma (n = 23), but also in diffuse, histiocytic lymphoma (n = 1), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 2), and NK/T-cell lymphoma (n = 1, our patient). The common clinical presentations are constitutional symptoms (n = 20) and abdominal pain (n = 17), although acute gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 6) and infection symptoms due to splenic abscess (n = 3) are also noted. In all patients, computed tomography scanning was very helpful for diagnosing GSF and for evaluating the lymphoma extent. GSF could occur either post-chemotherapy (n = 10) or spontaneously (n = 17). Surgical resection has been the most common treatment. Once patients have recovered from the acute illness status after undergoing surgery, their long-term outcome has been favorable. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides an overview of GSF occurring in lymphomas, and will be helpful in making physicians aware of this rare disease entity.

MR imaging findings of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in the nasal cavity: a rare site of spread.

We here report an extremely rare case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma to the nasal cavity only with MRI scan including diffusion-weighted imaging and a brief review of previous literature case reports.