Effectiveness of transarterial embolisation for intractable postpartum haemorrhage in a disseminated intravascular coagulation state, despite emergency hysterectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of transarterial embolization (TAE) for intractable postpartum hemorrhage in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) despite emergency hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed TAE performed after emergency hysterectomy in 15 patients between July 2008 and January 2022. Underlying condition, technical success, clinical success, angiographic findings, laboratory findings, pregnancy-modified DIC score (The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis), blood transfusion, ICU (Intensive care unit) admission day, hospital day, in-hospital mortality, and long-term sequelae were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients were diagnosed with DIC before embolization, with a 43.9 mean DIC score. All patients showed positive angiographic findings for active bleeding. Thirty-eight bleeding arteries were confirmed. The remnant uterine artery (n=25) was the most common focus of persistent bleeding, followed by the cervicovaginal artery (n=6), pudendal artery (n=3), obturator artery (n=2), vesical artery (n=1), and unspecified artery from the internal iliac artery (n=1). Technical and clinical success rates were 100% (15/15) and 93.3% (14/15), respectively. Mean nadir hemoglobin (Hb) level before embolization was 4.9 g/dL. All patients underwent massive transfusion before embolization (mean 33.2 packs of RBC). Postoperatively, a smaller amount of blood was transfused than before the procedure (mean 10.6 packs of RBC). Mean nadir Hb level after embolization was 8.2 g/dL. There was one instance each of in-hospital death, hypoxic brain damage, and ischemic acute kidney injury. CONCLUSION: Despite hysterectomy for postpartum bleeding, there could be multiple residual or uncontrolled bleeding foci, especially in case of DIC, for which TAE could be an effective treatment.

Split-axilla comparison study of 0.5-MHz, invasive, bipolar radiofrequency treatment using insulated microneedle electrodes for primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Energy-delivering devices can be used to induce thermal coagulation of the eccrine sweat glands for treating primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of invasive, bipolar radiofrequency (RF) treatment for PAH. METHODS: A split-axilla study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes of 0.5 MHz, invasive, bipolar RF treatment with treatment settings of a longer conduction time and lower power (LC/LP) vs a shorter conduction time and higher power (SC/HP) for treating PAH. RESULTS: The in vivo study revealed median hyperhidrosis disease severity scale scores of 1.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2) at 1 month and 1 (IQR, 1-2) at 3 months after treatment with the LC/LP setting, compared to baseline. Meanwhile, the other side of the axillae treated with the SC/HP setting showed scores of 2 (IQR, 2-2) at 1 month and 2 (IQR, 1.25-2) at 3 months. Analysis via a linear mixed model revealed a significant interaction (group, P = .011; time, P < .001; and group × time, P = .048) between treatment group and time. CONCLUSION: PAH can be effectively and safely treated with invasive, multilayered, multiple-pass, 0.5-MHz, bipolar RF treatment, particularly with LC/LP.

In vivo skin reactions from pulsed-type, bipolar, alternating current radiofrequency treatment using invasive noninsulated electrodes.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar, alternating current radiofrequency (RF) conduction using invasive noninsulated electrodes consecutively generates independent tissue coagulation around each electrode and then, the converged coagulation columns. METHODS: Two pulsed-type RF models at the on-time pulse width/pulse pack of 30 and 40 milliseconds were designed to amplify the early stage of RF-induced tissue reaction using hairless mouse skin in vivo. Then, structural and ultrastructural changes were evaluated in hairless mouse skin samples at baseline and immediately 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after treatment. RESULTS: Immediately after pulsed-RF treatment, a few chrysanthemum-like zones of electrothermal coagulation and hypereosinophilic collagen fibers were found in the dermis and dermo-subcutaneous fat junction. Histochemical staining for periodic acid-Schiff and immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen revealed marked thickening of basement membranes. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that pulsed-RF treatment resulted in higher electron-dense and remarkably thicker lamina densa, as well as increases in anchoring fibrils, compared with untreated control specimens. Furthermore, CD31-positive blood vessels were smaller in size with a slit-like luminal appearance, without excessive damage to endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that pulse-type, bipolar RF energy induces structural and ultrastructural changes in basement membranes and vascular components in hairless mouse skin.

Simulation of laser-tattoo pigment interaction in a tissue-mimicking phantom using Q-switched and long-pulsed lasers.

BACKGROUND: Laser therapy is the treatment of choice in tattoo removal. However, the precise mechanisms of laser-tattoo pigment interactions remain to be evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated the geometric patterns of laser-tattoo pigment particle interactions using a tattoo pigment-embedded tissue-mimicking (TM) phantom. RESULTS: A Q-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used at settings of 532-, 660-, and 1064-nm wavelengths, single-pulse and quick pulse-to-pulse treatment modes, and spot sizes of 4 and 7 mm. Most of the laser-tattoo interactions in the experimental conditions formed cocoon-shaped or oval photothermal and photoacoustic injury zones, which contained fragmented tattoo particles in various sizes depending on the conditions. In addition, a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser was used at a spot size of 6 mm and pulse widths of 3, 5, and 10 ms. The finer granular pattern of tattoo destruction was observed in TM phantoms treated with 3- and 5-ms pulse durations compared to those treated with a 10-ms pulse. CONCLUSION: We outlined various patterns of laser-tattoo pigment interactions in a tattoo-embedded TM phantom to predict macroscopic tattoo and surrounding tissue reactions after laser treatment for tattoo removal.

Transcutaneous pneumatic injection of glucose solution: a morphometric evaluation of in vivo micropig skin and tissue-mimicking phantom.

BACKGROUND: Needle-free, transcutaneous pneumatic injection systems can be used to deliver therapeutic solutions to targeted layers of skin in a minimally invasive manner. METHODS: To evaluate jet infiltration patterns and tissue reactions, 5% isotonic and 20% hypertonic glucose solutions were pneumatically injected into in vivo micropig skin. Gelatin TM phantom was additionally prepared to analyze penetration and dispersion patterns for different experimental settings. RESULTS: As immediate tissue reactions in the in vivo micropig skin, distinct pneumatic injection injury zones (PIIZs) in the dermis, extending from the papillary dermis deep into the dermo-subcutaneous junction, were generated with the 5% and 20% glucose solutions and with pneumatic pressures of 4.64 and 5.7 bars, respectively. PIIZs markedly decreased in appearance at 1 day after treatment, accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, and disappeared at 7 days post-treatment with increased collagen and elastin production. In TM phantom study, the PIIZs created by 20% glucose mainly comprised a single, homogenous, round to oval zone, whereas those created by 5% glucose were irregular and multi-lobular. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that transcutaneous pneumatic injection therapy may exert mechanical stimulatory effects, immediate tissue shrinkage via hypertonic solutions, and late tissue regeneration effects during wound healing.

Periorbital melasma: Hierarchical cluster analysis of clinical features in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown melasma lesions to be distributed across the face in centrofacial, malar, and mandibular patterns. Meanwhile, however, melasma lesions of the periorbital area have yet to be thoroughly described. METHODS: We analyzed normal and ultraviolet light-exposed photographs of patients with melasma. The periorbital melasma lesions were measured according to anatomical reference points and a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. RESULTS: The periorbital melasma lesions showed clinical features of fine and homogenous melasma pigmentation, involving both the upper and lower eyelids that extended to other anatomical sites with a darker and coarser appearance. The hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that patients with periorbital melasma can be categorized into two clusters according to the surface anatomy of the face. Significant differences between cluster 1 and cluster 2 were found in lateral distance and inferolateral distance, but not in medial distance and superior distance. Comparing the two clusters, patients in cluster 2 were found to be significantly older and more commonly accompanied by melasma lesions of the temple and medial cheek. CONCLUSION: Our hierarchical cluster analysis of periorbital melasma lesions demonstrated that Asian patients with periorbital melasma can be categorized into two clusters according to the surface anatomy of the face.

A fuzzy integral method based on the ensemble of neural networks to analyze fMRI data for cognitive state classification across multiple subjects.

The huge number of voxels in fMRI over time poses a major challenge to for effective analysis. Fast, accurate, and reliable classifiers are required for estimating the decoding accuracy of brain activities. Although machine-learning classifiers seem promising, individual classifiers have their own limitations. To address this limitation, the present paper proposes a method based on the ensemble of neural networks to analyze fMRI data for cognitive state classification for application across multiple subjects. Similarly, the fuzzy integral (FI) approach has been employed as an efficient tool for combining different classifiers. The FI approach led to the development of a classifiers ensemble technique that performs better than any of the single classifier by reducing the misclassification, the bias, and the variance. The proposed method successfully classified the different cognitive states for multiple subjects with high accuracy of classification. Comparison of the performance improvement, while applying ensemble neural networks method, vs. that of the individual neural network strongly points toward the usefulness of the proposed method.

A hybrid method for classifying cognitive states from fMRI data.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) makes it possible to detect brain activities in order to elucidate cognitive-states. The complex nature of fMRI data requires under-standing of the analyses applied to produce possible avenues for developing models of cognitive state classification and improving brain activity prediction. While many models of classification task of fMRI data analysis have been developed, in this paper, we present a novel hybrid technique through combining the best attributes of genetic algorithms (GAs) and ensemble decision tree technique that consistently outperforms all other methods which are being used for cognitive-state classification. Specifically, this paper illustrates the combined effort of decision-trees ensemble and GAs for feature selection through an extensive simulation study and discusses the classification performance with respect to fMRI data. We have shown that our proposed method exhibits significant reduction of the number of features with clear edge classification accuracy over ensemble of decision-trees.

Rice prolamin extract ameliorates acute murine colitis by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B and modulating intestinal apoptosis and cell proliferation.

We investigated the impact of rice prolamin extract (RPE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages, and determined the therapeutic efficacy of RPE in acute murine colitis. The effect of RPE on LPS-induced NF-κB signalling and proinflammatory gene expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, immunofluorescence and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The in-vivo efficacy of RPE was assessed in mice with 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Apoptotic and cellular proliferative activities were evaluated by immunostaining with cleaved caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies. RPE inhibited LPS-induced expression of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and LPS-induced NF-κB signalling in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages. RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice showed less weight loss, longer colon length and lower histological score compared to control diet-fed, DSS-exposed mice. Immunostaining analysis revealed a significant decrease of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells in RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice compared to DSS-exposed mice. Also, the number of PCNA-positive cells within intact colonic crypts decreased significantly in RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice compared to control diet-fed, DSS-exposed mice. DSS-induced NF-κB signalling was inhibited by RPE. RPE ameliorates intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation and modulating intestinal apoptosis and cell proliferation in an acute murine colitis.

The effect of CD34+ cell-containing autologous platelet-rich plasma injection on pattern hair loss: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Mobilized CD34+ cells in peripheral blood have angiogenic potential, which is an important factor in active hair growth. In addition, activated autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been reported to induce the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical efficacy of interfollicular injection of CD34+ cell-containing PRP preparation for pattern hair loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CD34+ cell-containing PRP preparation was injected on the scalps of 13 patients with pattern hair loss, and 13 patients were treated with interfollicular placental extract injection as a control. The numbers of platelets in PRP were microscopically counted and CD34+ cells were evaluated with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Three months after the first treatment, the patients presented clinical improvement in the mean number of hairs, 20.5 ± 17.0% (P < 0.0001), mean hair thickness, 31.3 ± 30.1% (P < 0.0001), and mean two-point score, 84.4 ± 51.7% (P < 0.0001) compared with baseline values. At 6 months, the patients presented clinical improvement in mean hair count, 29.2 ± 17.8% (P < 0.0001), mean hair thickness, 46.4 ± 37.5% (P < 0.0001), and mean two-point score, 121.3 ± 66.8% (P < 0.0001) compared with baseline. The MIXED procedure revealed that CD34+ cell-containing PRP treatment presented a higher degree of improvement than placental extract treatment in hair thickness (P = 0.027) and overall clinical improvement (P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the interfollicular injection of autologous CD34+ cell-containing PRP preparation has a positive therapeutic effect on male and female pattern hair loss without remarkable major side-effects.

Immunopathogenic characterization of cutaneous inflammation in Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease (BD) is a recurrent multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral aphthous and genital ulcers, ocular lesions and cutaneous lesions. Although many studies of cytokine levels in sera of BD patients have been conducted, there are only limited number of studies about the cytokine expression and cellular infiltration in the BD-related skin lesions. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immunophenotypes and cytokine profiles of BD-related skin lesions. METHODS: Twenty patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for BD with BD-related skin lesions were enrolled in this study. We assessed the histopathological features of BD-related skin lesions by immunohistochemical studies with anti-human CD4, CD8, CD68, FoxP3, CD-11b, IFN-γ and IL-4 antibodies. RESULTS: Immunophenotyping of inflammatory infiltrating cells showed that CD68+ macrophages were the most common type of infiltrated cells in erythema nodosum-like lesions, erythema multiforme-like lesions and Sweet's syndrome-like lesions, whereas neutrophils were the main population of inflammatory infiltrating cells in papulopustular lesions. In all of the four types of BD-related skin lesions, the percentage of CD8+ T cells was higher than that of CD4+ T cells (P < 0.05), and IL-4 expression was stronger than IFN-γ expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, we assessed the infiltrating inflammatory cells and cytokine expression of acute cutaneous lesions in BD through immunohistochemical staining of BD-related skin lesions. Further studies about the disease activity and the molecular biology underlying the cutaneous inflammation are needed to understand the detailed pathogenesis of BD.

Therapeutic efficacy of long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser for seborrheic keratoses.

BACKGROUND: Both ablative and non-ablative laser devices have been used for the cosmetic treatment of seborrheic keratoses. OBJECTIVES: We analysed treatment outcomes and adverse events in the treatment of seborrheic keratoses using a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser without colour enhancement. METHODS: A total of 216 seborrheic keratoses in 13 patients were treated with one or three sessions of long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser at 1-month intervals. The lesions were treated with settings of 35 J/cm(2) using a 6-mm spot size, a 3-ms pulse width, and 1-2 passes or until the appearance of fine bubbles on the irradiated lesions. RESULTS: A total of 216 seborrheic keratoses were treated with a mean 1.1 ± 0.4 sessions of long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser and achieved a mean objective improvement score of 3.4 ± 0.7. Morphologic factors significantly impacted the number of treatment sessions required; in particular, papular lesions seemed to require more repetitive long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser treatments than macular lesions. However, objective improvement score was not affected by the type of the seborrheic keratoses. The colour of seborrheic keratoses did not significantly affect the objective improvement score or required treatment sessions. Most of the lesions became crusted within a few days after the laser treatment and spontaneously peeled off within 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of long-pulsed, high fluence laser energy to seborrheic keratoses with protection of the epidermis by an integrated dynamic cooling device is an effective treatment with low risk of side-effects, even in light-coloured lesions with few target pigments.

Serum IgA reactivity against GroEL of Streptococcus sanguinis and human heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 in patients with Behçet disease.

BACKGROUND: Infectious agents, especially Streptococcus sanguinis and herpes simplex virus, have long been postulated as major triggering factors for Behçet disease (BD). OBJECTIVES: To identify an anti-S. sanguinis antigen reacting with serum IgA antibody in patients with BD. METHODS: We detected a target protein by proteomics analysis and evaluated serum IgA reactivity of 100 patients with BD against the identified streptococcal target protein and human heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1. Homologous epitope sequences between the streptococcal target protein and human hnRNP A2/B1 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Four protein bands were detected by immunoprecipitation, and chaperonin GroEL was identified by a proteomics analysis. Reactivity of serum IgA against recombinant S. sanguinis GroEL was detected in 77 of 100 patients with BD (77%) and in 21 of 70 healthy controls (30%). In addition, reactivity of serum IgA against human recombinant hnRNP A2/B1 was seen in 79 of 100 patients with BD (79%) and in eight of 70 healthy controls (11%). Among the eight distinctive epitopes with significant homology between S. sanguinis GroEL and human hnRNP A2/B1, the serum IgA reactivity of patients with BD was markedly higher with epitope 3 (hnRNP A2/B1 peptide 33-46 and GroEL peptide 57-70) and epitope 6 (hnRNP A2/B1 peptide 177-188 and GroEL peptide 347-358). CONCLUSION: We identified an S. sanguinis GroEL protein as a target of serum anti-S. sanguinis IgA antibody reactivity in patients with BD. In addition, patients with BD exhibited serum IgA reactivity against homologous epitope regions between S. sanguinis GroEL and human hnRNP A2/B1.

Both the sera of patients with Behçet's disease and Streptococcus sanguis stimulate membrane expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVES: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1 has been identified as a target antigen of anti-endothelial cell immunglobulin (Ig)A antibodies in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). The aim was to investigate the effects of the sera from BD patients and Streptococcus sanguis on the subcellular expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs). METHOD: The sera of BD patients and healthy controls (HC) as well as cultured S. sanguis were used to stimulate HDMECs. Subcellular fractions were obtained from stimulated HDMECs and were subjected to immunoblot analyses. The distribution of hnRNP A2/B1 was investigated by immunocytochemistry and direct immunofluorescence study was performed in biopsy specimens of mucosal ulcers from BD patients. RESULTS: BD patients' sera increased the membrane expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in HDMECs after 12 and 24 h of incubation compared with HDMECs incubated with endothelial cell culture media and HC sera. S. sanguis also increased hnRNP A2/B1 in the cellular membrane. hnRNP A2/B1 mRNA level was also significantly upregulated in HDMECs incubated with BD patients' sera and S. sanguis. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated marked expression of hnRNP A2/B1 in the cytoplasm and cellular membrane of HDMECs incubated with BD patients' sera or S. sanguis. In addition, direct immunofluorescence experiments revealed the co-localization of serum IgA antibodies and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against hnRNP A2/B1 in tissue sections from ulcers of BD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that both the sera of BD patients with active disease and S. sanguis infection are inflammatory stimuli that can induce membranous hnRNP A2/B1 expression in HDMECs.

Behçet's disease in concurrence with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease (BD) and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by multisystemic vasculitis and epidermal hyperplasia respectively. Although it has been found that the pathogenesis of BD and psoriasis share common perspectives, reports of patients who have both diseases in concurrence are rare. OBJECTIVES: To analyse and evaluate the clinical manifestations of BD patients who have psoriasis together. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of the medical records of nine BD patients who were also diagnosed with psoriasis at the BD Specialty Clinic of Severance Hospital was carried out. We analysed the characteristics of patients and the clinical activity of both diseases, and also the effect of the treatment of one disease against the other. RESULTS: Of the nine BD patients who also had psoriasis, male to female ratio was 1 : 2. Two (22.2%) patients had a complete type of BD and seven (77.8%) patients had an incomplete type of BD. For the psoriatic lesions, all nine (100%) patients were diagnosed as psoriasis vulgaris. Five (55.6%) patients had BD as the preceding disease and four (44.4%) patients had psoriasis as the preceding. All five patients who formerly developed BD followed by psoriasis had an active state of BD, but the activity of psoriasis of all nine patients was minimal to average. CONCLUSION: In this study, we evaluated the clinical manifestations of nine patients who had BD and psoriasis together. Although the exact pathogenesis remains unclear, there might be some influence by each disease to the other between BD and psoriasis.

Effect of Phytogenic Feed Additives in Soybean Meal on In vitro Swine Fermentation for Odor Reduction and Bacterial Community Comparison.

The effect of different phytogenic feed additives on reducing odorous compounds in swine was investigated using in vitro fermentation and analyzed their microbial communities. Soybean meal (1%) added with 0.1% different phytogenic feed additives (FA) were in vitro fermented using swine fecal slurries and anaerobically incubated for 12 and 24 h. The phytogenic FAs used were red ginseng barn powder (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, FA1), persimmon leaf powder (Diospyros virginiana L., FA2), ginkgo leaf powder (Ginkgo biloba L., FA3), and oregano lippia seed oil extract (Lippia graveolens Kunth, OL, FA4). Total gas production, pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2 (-)-N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 (-)-N), sulfate (SO4 (--)), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and other metabolites concentration were determined. Microbial communities were also analyzed using 16S rRNA DGGE. Results showed that the pH values on all treatments increased as incubation time became longer except for FA4 where it decreased. Moreover, FA4 incubated for 12 and 24 h was not detected in NH3-N and H2S. Addition of FAs decreased (p<0.05) propionate production but increased (p<0.05) the total VFA production. Ten 16S rRNA DGGE bands were identified which ranged from 96 to 100% identity which were mostly isolated from the intestine. Similarity index showed three clearly different clusters: I (FA2 and FA3), II (Con and FA1), and III (FA4). Dominant bands which were identified closest to Eubacterium limosum (ATCC 8486T), Uncultured bacterium clone PF6641 and Streptococcus lutetiensis (CIP 106849T) were present only in the FA4 treatment group and were not found in other groups. FA4 had a different bacterial diversity compared to control and other treatments and thus explains having lowest odorous compounds. Addition of FA4 to an enriched protein feed source for growing swine may effectively reduce odorous compounds which are typically associated with swine production.

Topical niacin cream-assisted 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment for facial flushing: retrospective analysis of 25 Korean patients.

BACKGROUND: Flushing is defined clinically as a transient reddening of the face and other areas. Due to the transient nature of flushing, a patient may not show signs of flushing during laser treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment of flushing or erythema after provocation of flushing by topical niacin cream. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 25 Korean patients with facial flushing who were treated with three sessions of 595-nm pulsed-dye laser after the application of topical niacin cream. RESULTS: Follow-up results revealed that 12 of the 25 patients demonstrated marked (51-75%) clinical improvement of baseline facial erythema. Eight patients had moderate (26-50%) improvement and three demonstrated near total (≥ 75%) improvement. Two patients showed minimal to no (0-25%) improvement. We observed that the reactivity to topical niacin cream was markedly reduced in 64% of our patients after 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatments. Minimal post-therapy facial oedema was noted in most of the patients, which usually resolved spontaneously within 2 days. Pronounced facial swelling was observed in four patients. CONCLUSION: We suggest that 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment after provocation of flushing by topical niacin cream may provide a new treatment algorithm for facial flushing in Asians.

Effect of lysine to digestible energy ratio on growth performance and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs.

This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of lysine (Lys) to DE ratio on growth performance, and carcass characterics in finishing barrows. Ninety six cross-bred finishing barrows ((Landrace×Yorkshire) ×Duroc, average BW 58.25±0.48 kg) were assigned as a randomized complete block design by 2 energy levels and 4 Lys:DE ratios on the basis of BW to one of 8 treatments with 3 replications with 4 animals per pen. The levels of DE and Lys:DE ratio for each treatment were i) DE 3.35 Mcal/kg, 1.5 g Lys/Mcal DE, ii) DE 3.35 Mcal/kg, 1.8 g Lys/Mcal DE, iii) DE 3.35 Mcal/kg, 2.1 g Lys/Mcal DE, iv) DE 3.35 Mcal/kg, 2.4 g Lys/Mcal DE, v) DE 3.60 Mcal/kg, 1.5 g Lys/Mcal DE, vi) DE 3.60 Mcal/kg, 1.8 g Lys/Mcal DE, vii) DE 3.60 Mcal/kg, 2.1 g Lys/Mcal DE, viii) DE 3.60 Mcal/kg, 2.4 g Lys/Mcal DE. During finishing period from 58 kg to 103 kg of BW, increased energy density in the diet increased (p<0.05) ADG and gain:feed ratio, but did not influence ADFI. As Lys:DE ratio was increased, ADG, ADFI and gain:feed ratio were improved in finishing barrows (p<0.05). There were positive interactions (p<0.05) between carcass weight, grade, and backfat thickness and energy density and Lys level (p<0.05). In conclusion, data from our current study suggest that maximum yields including ADG, gain:feed ratio, carcass weight and grade can be achieved by administrating finishing pigs with an ideal Lys:DE ratio, Lys 2.1 g/DE Mcal.

Bacterial Community Dynamics during Swine In vitro Fermentation Using Starch as a Substrate with Different Feed Additives for Odor Reduction.

The experiment was conducted by in vitro fermentation and bacterial community analysis to investigate the reduction of odorous compounds in response to the use of feed additives (FA) during carbohydrate overload in growing pigs. Soluble starch at 1% (control) and various FA at 0.1% Ginseng meal (FA1); Persimmon leaf (FA2); Gingko nut (FA3) and Oregano lippia (FA4) were added to fecal slurry and incubated anaerobically for 12 and 24 h. In vitro parameters and microbial diversity of the dominant bacteria following fermentation were analyzed using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), band cloning and sequencing of the V3 region. Results showed that total gas production increased with the advancement of incubation (p<0.05). pH values of FAs and control groups were decreased except the FA4 group which increased somewhat from 12 to 24 h (p<0.05). Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and H2S gas concentrations were comparatively lower in both stages in FA4 treatment than in the other groups (p<0.05). Hence, NH3-N concentrations in liquid phases were increased (p<0.05) from 12 to 24 h, but the trend was lowest in FA4 than in the other groups at both stages. The total VFA production was comparatively lower and butyrate levels were moderate in FA4 group than in the the other groups during both stages (p<0.05). Indirect odor-reducing compounds such as NO2, NO3 and SO4 concentrations were higher in the FA4 and FA3 than in the other groups at 24 h (p<0.05). After fermentation, ten dominant bands appeared, six of which appeared in all samples and four in only the FA4 treated group. The total number of DGGE bands and diversity was higher in the FA4-group compared to other groups. Additionally, similarity indices were lowest (71%) in the FA4, which represented a different bacterial community compared with the other groups. These findings indicate that NH3-N, H2S and VFA production was minimal, and pH was also better in the FA4 group than in the other groups. Furthermore, the conversion of odor-reducing indirect compounds or their intermediates was higher in the FA4 group in compared to the other groups. FA4 group generated less odorous products and more indirect products by in vitro fermentation at 24 h, and their microbial pattern appeared to differ from that of the other groups. These findings suggest that this particular FA could change the microbial population, which may have a beneficial effect on odor reduction. It is recommended that the oregano lippia may be supplied to growing pigs as FA along with excess carbohydrate sources to reduce the production of odorous compounds.

Increased retinol-binding protein (RBP) 4 and anti-RBP4 antibody in alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Neither the underlying pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) nor the molecular mechanisms leading to hair loss have been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To compare the protein profiles of sera obtained from patients with AA with those from healthy controls. METHODS: Protein profiles of sera obtained from subjects with AA and healthy controls were compared using proteomics techniques. Serum levels of the identified protein were quantified by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative serum reactivities of the recombinant human protein were compared between patients with AA and healthy controls using Western blots and double indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The upregulated expression of retinol-binding protein (RBP) 4 was identified, and RBP4 ELISA demonstrated significantly increased serum levels of RBP4 among subjects with AA when compared with healthy controls. Western blots using recombinant human RBP4 and the sera from both groups presented serum reactivity of antihuman recombinant RBP4 IgG antibodies in 10/15 subjects with AA (67%) and 2/15 healthy controls (13%). Double indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated merged fluorescence signals of serum anti-RBP4 IgG antibodies and monoclonal antibodies to RBP4 in subjects with AA on the outer root sheath and companion layer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that AA is associated with increased serum levels of RBP4 and positive IgG immunoreactivity against recombinant human RBP4. These results suggest that the major components for the retinoic acid biosynthesis pathway may be crucially involved in the pathogenic process of AA.