Optimization of a solid culture medium based on Monochamus alternatus for Cordyceps militaris fruiting body formation.

Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae; M. alternatus), popularly known as the Japanese pine sawyer, is a vector of pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) that causes pine wilt disease. A solid medium culture with M. alternatus produced Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies with the longest strips and the highest biological efficiency. Supplementing the original form of M. alternatus with oats resulted in slightly enhanced fruiting body production. The original form of M. alternatus showed higher production than its powder form. The solid culture medium was optimized using a response surface methodology, and the optimal medium contained the following: 8·5 g per bottle of M. alternatus and 11·5 g per bottle of oats mixed with 22·4 ml of water in a 300-ml cylindrical plastic bottle. The optimal culturing period for the fruiting body formation was 37·1 days. Under these conditions, a fruiting body dry weight of 38·0 g per bottle (actual value) was attained. The fruiting body produced using a solid culture medium based on M. alternatus had a cordycepin content of about 25 µg g-1 . The solid culture medium containing M. alternatus is highly efficient and eco-friendly, and its effectiveness in large-scale fruiting body production from C. militaris has been demonstrated.

IgE blockade with omalizumab reduces pruritus related to immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-HER2 therapies.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) blockade with omalizumab has demonstrated clinical benefit in pruritus-associated dermatoses (e.g. atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, urticaria). In oncology, pruritus-associated cutaneous adverse events (paCAEs) are frequent with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and targeted anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapies. Thus, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IgE blockade with omalizumab in cancer patients with refractory paCAEs related to CPIs and anti-HER2 agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients included in this multicenter retrospective analysis received monthly subcutaneous injections of omalizumab for CPI or anti-HER2 therapy-related grade 2/3 pruritus that was refractory to topical corticosteroids plus at least one additional systemic intervention. To assess clinical response to omalizumab, we used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The primary endpoint was defined as reduction in the severity of paCAEs to grade 1/0. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (50% female, median age 67.5 years) received omalizumab for cancer therapy-related paCAEs (71% CPIs; 29% anti-HER2). All had solid tumors (29% breast, 29% genitourinary, 15% lung, 26% other), and most (n = 18, 64%) presented with an urticarial phenotype. In total 28 of 34 (82%) patients responded to omalizumab. The proportion of patients receiving oral corticosteroids as supportive treatment for management of paCAEs decreased with IgE blockade, from 50% to 9% (P < 0.001). Ten of 32 (31%) patients had interruption of oncologic therapy due to skin toxicity; four of six (67%) were successfully rechallenged following omalizumab. There were no reports of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity reactions related to omalizumab. CONCLUSIONS: IgE blockade with omalizumab demonstrated clinical efficacy and was well tolerated in cancer patients with pruritus related to CPIs and anti-HER2 therapies.

Comparison of a 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet picosecond laser using a diffractive optical element vs. a nonablative 1550-nm erbium-glass laser for the treatment of facial acne scarring in Asian patients: a 17-week prospective, randomized, split-face, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Novel picosecond lasers using a diffractive optical element (P-DOE) have been available for skin resurfacing with distinct mechanisms. However, there are limited data directly comparing P-DOE and conventional fractional lasers for the treatment of atrophic acne scarring. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet P-DOE and a non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) in the treatment of acne scarring. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, split-face, controlled trial was performed. One randomly assigned half-side of each patient's face (n = 25) was treated with four consecutive sessions of P-DOE at 3-week intervals and the other side with NAFL, with subsequent follow-up for 8 weeks after the final sessions. The efficacy and safety of the two lasers were determined by the Echelle d'Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices d'acné (Scale of Clinical Evaluation of Acne Scars; ECCA) grading scale, Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score and patients' reports at the final visit. Histologic analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The P-DOE-treated side achieved a significantly better improvement in acne appearance (ECCA per cent reduction: 55% vs. 42%) with less severe pain (4.3 vs. 5.6) (P < 0.05). The IGA score and subjective satisfaction were consistent with ECCA score results. Occurrences of treatment-related side-effects were also lower in the group treated with P-DOE (P < 0.05). Histologic analysis revealed elongation and increased density of neocollagen fibres, elastic fibres and mucin throughout the dermis from both sides. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with NAFL, P-DOE afforded better clinical outcomes and fewer side-effects in the treatment of acne scarring in Asian patients.

Trabecular bone score value is associated with new bone formation independently of fat metaplasia on spinal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between trabecular bone score (TBS) and new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to investigate whether TBS is independently associated with new bone formation. METHOD: Sixty-eight patients with AS underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine to measure TBS and bone mineral density at baseline. Lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine (baseline and 2 years) were assessed for new bone formation (syndesmophyte formation and/or growth combined), and spinal MRIs were assessed for the presence or absence of fat metaplasia (FM) at the first to fourth lumbar vertebrae. The factors associated with new bone formation were analysed at the patient level and the vertebral level. RESULTS: New bone formation had developed in 17 patients (25%) at 2 year follow-up. Patients with new bone formation had a higher prevalence of FM and lower TBS at baseline than patients without new bone formation (p = 0.013 and p = 0.041). At the patient level, FM on MRI and low TBS (< 1.23) were significantly associated with new bone formation. At the vertebral level, new bone formation had developed in 25 out of 231 vertebrae (11%) after 2 years. Vertebrae with both FM on MRI and low TBS tended to have more new bone formation (p < 0.001). Syndesmophytes and low TBS (< 1.23) independently increased the risk of new bone formation at the level of individual vertebrae. CONCLUSION: At both patient and individual vertebral levels, low TBS was associated with new bone formation independently of FM on MRI.

The effect of cricoid and paralaryngeal force on upper oesophageal occlusion during induction of anaesthesia: a randomised, crossover study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cricoid and paralaryngeal force for oesophageal entrance occlusion during induction of anaesthesia. Seventy-four patients were included in this randomised, crossover study. The relative position of the glottis and outer anteroposterior diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance were assessed at baseline, after the application of 30 N cricoid and paralaryngeal force, and after induction of anaesthesia. The occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance with cricoid and paralaryngeal force was assessed during direct laryngoscopy. The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis changed in 45 out of 74 patients after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy compared with the awake state. The application of cricoid and paralaryngeal force decreased the mean (SD) diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance to a similar degree in awake (8.5 (2.1) mm to 6.4 (1.7) mm and 6.5 (1.6) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) and anaesthetised (8.7 (2.2) mm to 6.5 (1.7) mm and (6.7 (1.9) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) states. During direct laryngoscopy, the occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance was greater with cricoid compared with paralaryngeal force (46/74 vs. 26/74, respectively; p = 0.002). The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis may change after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy. Cricoid and paralaryngeal force both decrease the diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance in awake and anaesthetised states. Occlusion of the oesophageal entrance is achieved more frequently with cricoid force compared with paralaryngeal force during direct laryngoscopy.

Relationship between smoking and spontaneously healed pulmonary TB on chest radiography in a South Korean population.

SETTING: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a national, population-based, cross-sectional surveillance programme.OBJECTIVE: 1) To investigate the prevalence of spontaneously healed pulmonary tuberculosis (SHPTB) on chest radiographs (CXRs) in South Korea, as well as its demographic and clinical associations, and 2) to determine the relationship between SHPTB and smoking.DESIGN: People with normal findings on CXRs (n = 24 190) and those with SHPTB (n = 1863) were compared in univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses with respect to smoking and demographic and clinical factors.RESULTS: The prevalence of SHPTB was 7.2%. The proportion of patients with SHPTB tended to be higher in males, people of older age, ever smokers, as well as people with low body mass index and low education level. In bivariate analysis, after adjustments for age and sex, SHPTB was found more often among ex-smokers (P = 0.005) and current smokers (P = 0.024) than in non-smokers. Multivariate analyses revealed increased relative odds for SHPTB with increased age (P < 0.001), male sex (P < 0.001) and ex-smoker status (P = 0.016). Passive smoking was also significantly associated with SHPTB (P = 0.022).CONCLUSION: In addition to increasing the risk of active TB and negatively affecting the outcome of TB treatment, smoking is also associated with SHPTB, as detected on CXRs.

Perioperative Changes in the Psoas Muscle Index in Patients Undergoing ABO-Incompatible Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: In the era of rituximab, ABO-incompatible living-donor liver transplantation (ABOi LDLT) is clinically accepted as a feasible therapy for end-stage liver disease. To date, no data on postoperative sarcopenic changes in patients undergoing ABOi LDLT are available. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six adult patients undergoing ABOi LDLT between October 2010 and July 2017 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The cross-sectional areas of both psoas muscles between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae were manually estimated from abdominal computed tomography images obtained within 1 month before surgery, and 1 and 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. The mean psoas muscle areas were calculated and normalized by the height squared to create psoas muscle indices (PMIs). RESULTS: The PMIs on postoperative days (PODs) 7 and 21 were significantly lower than the preoperative PMI in each whole study and male cohort. In whole study cohort, the absolute and relative PMIs on POD 7 were 308.8 (271.5-375.8) mm2/m2 and 95.3% (89.9%-101.1%). On POD 21, the values were 297.8 (258.5-349.6) mm2/m2 and 90.7% (81.1%-99.2%). In men, they were 335.3 (276.7-389.4) mm2/m2 and 94.2% (89.0%-98.8%) on POD 7, and 305.0 (271.6-357.0) mm2/m2 and 89.2% (83.2%-98.2%) on POD 21. In women, they were 281.2 (231.1-313.7) mm2/m2 and 101.4% (95.2%-106.0%) on POD 7, and 260.7 (245.9-273.9) mm2/m2 and 98.9% (77.9%-124.3%) on POD 21. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing ABOi LDLT were most vulnerable to core muscle loss soon after surgery.

Suspected Frequent Relapsing IgG4-related Lung Disease in Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report.

Besides the initial description of IgG4-related pancreatic disease, other sites are now commonly involved. However, occurrence of IgG4-related disease is rare in organ transplanted patients. A 57-year-old man who received a kidney transplantation presented with recurrent dyspnea on exertion. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed bilateral interlobular septal thickening and multiple tubular and branching small nodular lesions in the right upper lobe, and mass-like consolidation of the left middle lobe. Despite no elevation of serum IgG4 level, a percutaneous core needle biopsy on consolidative mass showed interstitial fibrosis and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells to be more than > 20 per high power field. After treatment with glucocorticoids and rituximab, the consolidative mass of the left middle lobe disappeared.

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 silencing aggravates hormone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in mice.

NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a highly inducible flavoprotein known to involve in various cellular defence mechanisms. In this study, we explored whether NQO1 deletion affects hormone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg, IP) was injected into wild-type (WT) and NOQ1 knockout C57BL/6 mice (NQO1-/- ) for 14 consecutive days, and the samples were collected for biological and histochemical studies. The testosterone-treated NQO1-/- showed about 140% higher prostate weight than the testosterone-treated WT, with enhanced connective tissue and hyperplastic glands formations. However, increased dihydrotestosterone level after testosterone treatment was not significantly different between the WT and NQO1-/- . In contrast, the enhanced nuclear expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in NQO1-/- prostate confirmed aggravated prostatic hyperplasia in NQO1-/- . Moreover, the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 90-α was markedly increased in the NQO1-/- , and this was supported by increased testosterone-induced nuclear androgen receptor expression in NQO1-silenced LNCaP cells. Testosterone-induced prostate-specific antigen expression was not reversed in NOQ1-silenced cells after finasteride treatment. Although the exact role of NQO1 in prostatic hyperplasia remains unclear, the hyperplasia exacerbation due to NQO1 deletion might be independent of type 2 5α-reductase and might be related to enhanced androgen receptor affinity due to enhanced HSP90-α expression.

Novel device-based acne treatments: comparison of a 1450-nm diode laser and microneedling radiofrequency on mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris and seborrhoea in Korean patients through a 20-week prospective, randomized, split-face study.

BACKGROUND: While device-based acne treatments are widely applied for patients not tolerating conventional medications, related controlled studies have been still limited. Recently, non-ablative 1450-nm diode laser (DL) and fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) have been effectively used for acne, in addition to well-recognized dermal remodelling effects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical course of acne treatment between DL and FMR. METHODS: Twenty-five Korean patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne completed treatments with DL and FMR through a 20-week, randomized split-face study. One randomly assigned half side of each patient's face received DL and the other side by FMR. Treatments were scheduled to receive three consecutive sessions at 4-week intervals. Objective assessments including revised Leeds grades, lesion counts, sebum output measurements, and patients' subjective satisfaction were investigated. RESULTS: Both DL and FMR demonstrated steady improvement of acne and seborrhoea during treatment sessions. While results between two devices were similar during treatment sessions, FMR was superior to DL in the 12-week follow-up. Patients' subjective assessments for seborrhoea improvement were similar between two devices, while those for acne, skin texture, and acne scars were more satisfactory for FMR. For safety profile, no significant difference was observed between two regimens, while mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed only in DL side. CONCLUSION: Both DL and FMR demonstrated efficacies for acne and seborrhoea, with reasonable safety profile. FMR was more effective than DL for the long-term maintenance, and subjective assessments for texture and scar improvements. Therefore, a few sessions of these devices would be a viable option for acne treatments.

Association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Although many factors have been found to be involved in recovery from Bell's palsy, no study has investigated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and obesity. This study therefore evaluated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Subjects were classified into five groups based on BMI (kg/m2 ). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. Assessed factors included sex, age, time from paralysis to visiting a hospital, the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of initial facial nerve paralysis by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and neurophysiological testing, and final recovery rate. RESULTS: Based on BMI, 37 subjects were classified as underweight, 169 as normal weight, 140 as overweight, 155 as obese and 42 as severely obese. Classification of the degree of initial facial nerve paralysis as moderate or severe, according to H-B grade and electroneurography, showed no difference in severity of initial facial paralysis among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, the final recovery rate was significantly higher in the normal weight than in the underweight or obese group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity or underweight had no effect on the severity of initial facial paralysis, but the final recovery rate was lower in the obese and underweight groups than in the normal group.

Simvastatin inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules induced by LPS in human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of simvastatin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). METHODOLOGY: The effect of LPS and simvastatin on human dental pulp cell (HDPCs) viability was measured using a 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules was evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. NF-κB transcription factors were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance (anova). RESULTS: The viability of cells exposed to different concentrations of E. coli LPS, P. gingivalis LPS and simvastatin was not significantly different compared with that of control cells (P > 0.05). LPS significantly increased interleukin (IL)-1ß (P < 0.05) and IL-6 mRNA expression (P < 0.05) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (P < 0.05) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression (P < 0.05) in HDPCs. Treatment with simvastatin significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated production of IL-1ß, IL-6, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin decreased LPS-induced expression of p65 and phosphorylation of IκB and also significantly decreased the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB in the cytoplasm and the level of p65 in the nucleus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin has a suppressing effect on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine, cell adhesion molecules and NF-κB transcription factors in HDPCs. Therefore, simvastatin might be a useful candidate as a pulp-capping agent in vital pulp therapy.

Can Kidney Transplantation Improve Arterial Stiffness in End-Stage Renal Patients?

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is associated with cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and after kidney transplantation. We examined how kidney transplantation influences brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) in ESRD patients. METHODS: The prospective observational study enrolled 67 patients who underwent successful kidney transplantation. Serial baPWV and biochemical parameters were measured before surgery and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after transplantation. RESULTS: baPWV prior to kidney transplantation and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after transplantation was 1533 ± 261 cm/s, 1417 ± 254 cm/s, 1414 ± 285 cm/s, and 1384 ± 233 cm/s, respectively. baPWV and biochemical parameters including alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone, and 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D improved significantly at 6 months (P < .05), but there were no changes between 6 months and 2 years after transplantation. The majority of patients (73%) improved, whereas the remainder showed progression of baPWV after transplantation. Sixty-three percent of all kidney transplantation patients displayed higher baPWV than the healthy control subjects at 6 months after transplant. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of patients, baPWV improved soon after kidney transplantation but overall remained higher than in the generally healthy population.

Mesenteric vasculitis after G-CSF administration in a severe neutropenic patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used with neutropenic patients to accelerate recovery. G-CSF is a hematopoietic cytokine that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophil precursors, and is known as a safe and effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, we encountered a case in which a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed mesenteric vasculitis after G-CSF administration. The patient was a 36-year-old female admitted with fever, arthralgia, and generalized erythematous rash. Despite symptomatic improvement with a high-dose steroid, severe neutropenia persisted for three weeks, precipitating a decision to use G-CSF to enhance recovery. Mesenteric vasculitis developed 15 hours after administration of G-CSF injection. Because the response of immune cells such as neutrophils and T cells is uncontrolled and dysfunctional in patients with lupus, G-CSF therapy should be used with caution.

Exopolysaccharide fraction from Pediococcus pentosaceus KFT18 induces immunostimulatory activity in macrophages and immunosuppressed mice.

AIMS: Exopolysaccharide fraction from Pediococcus pentosaceus KFT18 (PE-EPS), a lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi (a Korean fermented vegetable product), was preliminary characterized and its immunostimulating effects were analysed. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we used interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-primed RAW 264·7 macrophages and CD3/CD28-stimulated splenocytes to determine the immunotimulatory activities of PE-EPS. Upon exposure to PE-EPS, IFN-γ-primed RAW 264·7 macrophages showed significant increases in the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß. Molecular data using reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that PE-EPS upregulated transcriptional activity, DNA binding and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, PE-EPS enhanced anti-CD3/CD28-specific proliferation and the productions of IL-2 and IFN-γ in primary splenocytes. In cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice, pretreatment with PE-EPS (5, 15 or 45 mg kg(-1) day(-1), p.o.) increased thymus and spleen indices, and improved lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. CONCLUSION: PE-EPS stimulated the IFN-γ-primed macrophages and primary splenocytes to induce immune responses and improved the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results in this study improved our understanding of immunostimulating activity of PE-EPS and supported its potential treatment option as a natural immunostimulant.

In vitro and in vivo immunostimulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide-enriched fraction from Bacillus subtilis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the immunostimulatory effects of an exopolysaccharide-enriched fraction obtained from Bacillus subtilis J92 (B-EPS). METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine the immunostimulatory activities of B-EPS, we used IFN-γ-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages and CD3/CD28-stimulated splenocytes. Increases in the levels of NO and many cytokines, such as, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, were observed in IFN-γ-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages by Griess reaction and ELISAs respectively. Using Western blotting and qRT-PCR, we found that B-EPS increased the protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. A reporter gene assay and EMSA revealed that B-EPS up-regulated the transcriptional activity of NF-κB by increasing its DNA binding and nuclear translocation. Pretreatment with NF-κB inhibitors, that is, BAY11-7082 and PDTC, decreased NO production in IFN-γ-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages by B-EPS. Furthermore, B-EPS increased the proliferation of and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-γ) production by CD3/CD28-stimulated splenocytes. In a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mouse model, B-EPS (5, 15 or 45 mg kg(-1) , p.o.) restored thymus and spleen indices. B-EPS also inhibited cyclophosphamide-induced reductions in neutrophil and lymphocyte numbers. CONCLUSIONS: B-EPS improves immune function by regulating immunological parameters in IFN-γ-primed macrophages, CD3/CD28-stimulated splenocytes, and in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study suggests that the exopolysaccharides secreted by B. subtilis J92 could be used as immune stimulants.

Cutaneous manifestations of the subtypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in Korean patients.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinological disorder in women of childbearing-age. Although PCOS has common dermatological manifestations, including hirsutism, acne and androgenetic alopecia, little is known about the dermatological characteristics of PCOS patients in Asia. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to elucidate the dermatological characteristics and metabolic and hormonal parameters of Korean PCOS patients classified by the three ASRM/ESHERE criteria. METHODS: We investigated 40 untreated PCOS patients who were newly diagnosed in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Seoul National University Hospital. Patients were classified according to the presence of irregular menstruation (IM), polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) and hyperandrogenism (HA). Acne specific questionnaire, physical examination, and blood sampling were thoroughly conducted. RESULTS: Twenty four patients (60.0%) met the criteria for the IM/HA/PCOM group and sixteen (40.0%) belonged to the IM/PCOM group. Acne was the most commonly observed dermatological manifestation (95.0%) followed by hirsutism (60.0%), seoborrhea (47.5%), acanthosis nigricans (20.0%) and androgenetic alopecia (12.5%). Hirsutism was more frequently observed in the IM/HA/PCOM group; the prevalence of other cutaneous manifestations did not differ significantly. Acne was most often observed on the face and most acne lesions were distributed on the forehead and cheek. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate level was higher in IM/HA/PCOM group, while serum cholesterol and high density lipoprotein concentrations were higher in the IM/PCOM group. CONCLUSION: We described several dermatological manifestations and serum hormonal and metabolic parameters in Korean PCOS patients. Cutaneous manifestations might be the first signs of PCOS; therefore, dermatologists should be more aware of cutaneous manifestations of various ethnicities.

Osteoprotegerin expressed by osteoclasts: an autoregulator of osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is secreted by stromal and osteoblastic lineage cells and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by preventing the interaction of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK). In this study, the expression of OPG in osteoclasts themselves and its biological functions during osteoclastogenesis were investigated for the first time. OPG expression in vivo in the developing rat maxilla was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. OPG expression in osteoclasts during in vitro osteoclastogenesis was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. We determined the function of OPG produced by osteoclasts during osteoclastogenesis by silencing the OPG gene. The effects of OPG on bone-resorbing activity and apoptosis of mature osteoclasts were examined by the assay of resorptive pit formation on calcium-phosphate-coated plate and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. In the immunofluorescence findings, strong immunoreactivities were unexpectedly seen in multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts around the growing and erupting tooth germs in the rat alveolar bone. In vitro, OPG expression was significantly increased during the differentiation of osteoclasts from mouse bone-marrow-derived cells treated with a combination of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL. Interestingly, it was found that OPG small interfering (si)RNA treatment during osteoclastogenesis enhanced the sizes of osteoclasts, but attenuated their bone-resorbing activity. Also, the increased chromosomal DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in the late phase of osteoclastogenesis were found to be decreased by treatment with OPG siRNA. Furthermore, effects of OPG siRNA treatment on osteoclastogenesis and bone-resorbing activity were recovered by the treatment of exogenous OPG. These results suggest that OPG, expressed by the osteoclasts themselves, may play an auto-regulatory role in the late phase of osteoclastogenesis through the induction of apoptosis.

Advantage of 3D volumetric dosemeter in delivery quality assurance of dynamic arc therapy: comparison of pencil beam and Monte Carlo calculations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of pencil beam calculation (PBC) and Monte Carlo calculation (MCC) for dynamic arc therapy (DAT) in a cylindrically shaped homogenous phantom, by comparing the two plans with an ion chamber, a film and a three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dosemeter. METHODS: For this study, an in-house phantom was constructed, and the PBC and MCC plans for DAT were performed using iPlan® RT (BrainLAB®, Heimstetten, Germany). The A16 micro ion chamber (Standard Imaging, Middleton, WI), Gafchromic® EBT2 film (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) and ArcCHECK™ (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL) were used for measurements. For comparison with each plan, two-dimensional (2D) and 3D gamma analyses were performed using 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria. RESULTS: The difference between the PBC and MCC plans using 2D and 3D gamma analyses was found to be 7.85% and 28.8%, respectively. The ion chamber and 2D dose distribution measurements did not exhibit this difference revealed by the comparison between the PBC and MCC plans. However, the 3D assessment showed a significant difference between the PBC and MCC (62.7% for PBC vs 93.4% for MCC, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Evaluation using a 3D volumetric dosemeter can be clinically useful for delivery quality assurance (QA), and the MCC should be used to achieve the most reliable dose calculation for DAT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: (1) The DAT plan calculated using the PBC has a limitation in the calculation methods, and a 3D volumetric dosemeter was found to be an adequate tool for delivery QA of DAT. (2) The MCC was superior to PBC in terms of the accuracy in dose calculation for DAT even in the homogenous condition.