Dyspnea and nocturnal cough due to esophageal diffuse leiomyomatosis in a girl with hematuria.

A 7-year-old girl with hematuria and clinical suspicion of Alport syndrome (AS) presented with dyspnea and nocturnal cough, initially diagnosed and treated as asthma. Despite inhaled corticosteroid therapy, her symptoms persisted, and spirometry indicated obstructive lung function without bronchodilator response. Chest CT revealed diffuse thickening of the esophageal wall, tracheal compression, with involvement of the gastric cardia, suggestive of diffuse leiomyomatosis.

Human Nasal Inferior Turbinate-Derived Neural Stem Cells Improve the Niche of Substantia Nigra Par Compacta in a Parkinson's Disease Model by Modulating Hippo Signaling.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, following Alzheimer's disease. The onset of PD is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Stem cell therapy has great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and human nasal turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs) have been found to share some characteristics with mesenchymal stem cells.

Dysbiotic Vaginal Microbiota Induces Preterm Birth Cascade via Pathogenic Molecules in the Vagina.

Dysbiotic vaginal microbiota (DVM) disturb the vaginal environment, including pH, metabolite, protein, and cytokine profiles. This study investigated the impact of DVM on the vaginal environment in 40 Korean pregnant women and identified predictable biomarkers of birth outcomes. Cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) samples were collected in the third trimester using vaginal swabs, examined for pH, and stored at -80 °C for further analysis.

Cultural difference in the role of communion in coping with COVID-19.

Objective: People are overwhelmed with COVID-19 news every day, which induces stress but also makes people feel connected to others. The present study examined two conflicting pressures of COVID-19-stress and communion-on the link between COVID-19 saliency and psychological consequences in two cultures. Specifically, we aimed to examine whether COVID-19 saliency and daily emotional experiences are mediated by COVID-19 stress and communion, and whether the relation between communion and daily emotions is emphasized among Koreans compared to U.

Who Do We Turn to and What Do We Get? Cultural Differences in Attachment Structure and Function Among East Asian and Western Individuals.

To whom do we turn for support in times of need, and what does the support from close others convey? The present research investigated how the structure and function of attachment differ for individuals in East Asian and Western cultures. In three studies, using survey and daily diary data, we examined the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure, and the consequences of receiving responsive support in close relationships among individuals in Korea and the United States. As expected, the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure was less emphasized for Koreans compared with U.

Synergistic Inhibitory Effect of Lactobacillus Cell Lysates and Butyrate on Poly I:C-Induced IL-8 Production in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Postbiotics include cell lysates (CLs), enzymes, cell wall fragments, and heat-killed bacteria derived from probiotics. Although postbiotics are increasingly being considered for their potential health-promoting properties, the effects of postbiotics on virus-mediated inflammatory responses in the intestine have not been elucidated. Hence, the present study aimed to examine whether CLs of Lactipantibacillus plantarum (LP CL) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LR CL) could inhibit virus-mediated inflammatory responses in the human intestinal epithelial cell line HT-29 in vitro.

Niemann-Pick Disease Type C Diagnosed Using Neonatal Cholestasis Gene Panel.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a neurovisceral lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the and genes. These mutations cause the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and other lipids in the lysosomes. NPC has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, depending on the age of onset.

Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substance (BLIS) Activity of Enterococcus faecium DB1 Against Biofilm Formation by Clostridium perfringens.

The antibiofilm effect of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Enterococcus faecium DB1 against Clostridium perfringens was investigated in the present study. BLIS of E. faecium DB1 significantly reduced biofilm formation by C.

Prognostic Value of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI-Derived Pharmacokinetic Variables in Glioblastoma Patients: Analysis of Contrast-Enhancing Lesions and Non-Enhancing T2 High-Signal Intensity Lesions.

Objective: To evaluate pharmacokinetic variables from contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs) and non-enhancing T2 high signal intensity lesions (NE-T2HSILs) on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-four GBM patients who had undergone preoperative DCE MR imaging and received standard treatment were retrospectively included. We analyzed the pharmacokinetic variables of the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) and volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space within the CEL and NE-T2HSIL of the entire tumor.

Development of Quality-Controlled Low-Dose Protocols for Radiography in the Neonatal ICU Using a New Mobile Digital Radiography System.

The aim of this study was to develop a low-dose radiography protocol for the neonatal ICU (NICU) using a new mobile digital radiography system with advanced denoising image processing and to evaluate the noninferiority of that protocol. In this prospective randomized study, 40 neonates in the NICU underwent radiography of the thorax and abdomen with two different mobile radiography units: conventional technique on one unit (50 kV, 1.6 mAs, and no additional filtration) and a new technique on another unit (54 kV, 0.

Ultrasonographic Indeterminate Lymph Nodes in Preoperative Thyroid Cancer Patients: Malignancy Risk and Ultrasonographic Findings Predictive of Malignancy.

Objective: Proper management of lymph nodes (LNs) with ultrasonographic (US) indeterminate features in thyroid cancer patients remains elusive. We aimed to evaluate the malignancy risk and US findings predictive of malignancy for US indeterminate LNs in preoperative thyroid cancer patients through node-by-node correlation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 348 LNs in 284 thyroid cancer patients, who underwent fine-needle aspiration or core-needle biopsy between December 2006 and June 2015, were included.

The Effects of Virtual Reality Training on Function in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to examine whether virtual reality (VR) training is effective for lower limb function as well as upper limb and overall function in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: Three databases, OVID, PubMed, and EMBASE, were used to collect articles. The search terms used were "cerebrovascular accident (CVA)," "stroke", and "virtual reality".

MRI Findings of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Usefulness of Straight Sinus Distention.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) shows various characteristic MRI findings. We evaluated the usefulness of straight sinus distention compared with transverse sinus distention and also evaluated other MRI findings of SIH. Forty-three consecutive patients (28 female and 15 male patients) treated for SIH and 43 age- and sex-matched control subjects at two institutions from 2012 through 2014 were included in this study.

Non-Motor Symptom Burdens Are Not Associated with Iron Accumulation in Early Parkinson's Disease: a Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Study.

Background: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has been used to measure iron accumulation in the deep nuclei of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study examined the relationship between non-motor symptoms (NMSs) and iron accumulation in the deep nuclei of patients with PD.

Methods: The QSM data were acquired from 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 29 patients with early PD and 19 normal controls.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Whole Body Vibration in Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to assess the effectiveness of WBV (whole body vibration) training through an analysis of effect sizes, identify advantages of WBV training, and suggest other effective treatment methods.

Methods: Four databases, namely, EMBASE, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science, were used to collect articles on vibration. Keywords such as "vibration" and "stroke" were used in the search for published articles.

The Korean version of relative and absolute reliability of gait and balance assessment tools for patients with dementia in day care center and nursing home.

[Purpose] This study was aimed to determine the relative and absolute reliability of Korean version tools of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the Four-Meter Walking Test (4MWT) and the Groningen Meander Walking Test (GMWT) in patients with dementia. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 53 patients with dementia were tested on TUG, BBS, 4MWT and GMWT with a prospective cohort methodological design. Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) to assess relative reliability and the standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC) and its percentage (MDC) to analyze the absolute reliability were calculated.

Effect of identity fusion on decision to make extreme sacrifices in romantic relationships: The moderating role of impulsiveness.

The present research investigated the roles of identity fusion and impulsiveness in extreme sacrifices for romantic partners. After completing questionnaires assessing identity fusion, inclusion of other in the self, passionate love, and communal orientation, participants responded to the trolley dilemma in which they could save their partner by sacrificing themselves. Participants in the time-pressure condition were given eight-seconds to respond to the dilemma; the other group had no time constraints.

Exercise-induced muscle fatigue in the unaffected knee joint and its influence on postural control and lower limb kinematics in stroke patients.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise-induced muscle fatigue in the unaffected knee joint on postural control and kinematic changes in stroke patients. Forty participants (20 stroke patients, 20 age-matched healthy participants) were recruited. To induce fatigue, maximum voluntary isometric contractions were performed in the unaffected knee joint in a Leg Extension Rehab exercise machine using the pneumatic resistance.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Presenting with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by the newly discovered SFTS Bunyavirus, and there have been no case reports of SFTS patients presenting with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in the English literature. We report a case of SFTS presenting with HLH in a 73-year-old immunocompetent male farmer. Although the patient had poor prognostic factors for SFTS, such as old age and central nervous system symptoms, he recovered fully with supportive care.

Effects of Physical Activity Programs on the Improvement of Dementia Symptom: A Meta-Analysis.

. To confirm that physical activity program improves the symptoms of dementia and the most effective physical activity was selected to help establish exercise programs. .

[A Case of Early Gastric Cancer with Nodular Tumor-like Scalp Metastasis].

Many neoplasms, including lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and gastrointestinal tract malignancy, possess potential for skin metastasis. Skin metastases can represent the first presentation of such malignancies and may be observed incidentally during routine exam. Skin metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma are uncommon, with a prevalence rate of 0.

The AIMS65 Score Is a Useful Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Urgent Endoscopy in Patients with High AIMS65 Scores.

Background/aims: To validate the AIMS65 score for predicting mortality of patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to evaluate the effectiveness of urgent (<8 hours) endoscopic procedures in patients with high AIMS65 scores.

Methods: This was a 5-year single-center, retrospective study. Nonvariceal, upper gastrointestinal bleeding was assessed by using the AIM65 and Rockall scores.

Correlation between Trunk Posture and Neck Reposition Sense among Subjects with Forward Head Neck Postures.

Objective: To assess the correlation of abnormal trunk postures and reposition sense of subjects with forward head neck posture (FHP).

Methods: In all, postures of 41 subjects were evaluated and the FHP and trunk posture including shoulder, scapular level, pelvic side, and anterior tilting degrees were analyzed. We used the head repositioning accuracy (HRA) test to evaluate neck position senses of neck flexion, neck extension, neck right and left side flexion, and neck right and left rotation and calculated the root mean square error in trials for each subject.

Effects of the active release technique on pain and range of motion of patients with chronic neck pain.

[Purpose] To compare the influences of the active release technique (ART) and joint mobilization (JM) on the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and neck range of motion (ROM) of patients with chronic neck pain. [Subjects] Twenty-four individuals with chronic neck pain were randomly and equally assigned to 3 groups: an ART group, a joint mobilization (JM) group, and a control group. Before and after the intervention, the degree of pain, PPT, and ROM of the neck were measured using a VAS, algometer, and goniometer, respectively.