Multiple models of porcine teschovirus pathogenesis in endemically infected pigs.

Porcine teschoviruses (PTVs) belong to the genus Teschovirus within the family Picornaviridae. PTVs are universal contaminants in pig herds in endemic and multi-infection status. To further the understanding of PTV pathogenesis in endemically infected pigs, a set of samples was studied by real time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to quantitate viral loads in tissues and by in situ hybridization (ISH) to locate PTV signals in target cells, both targeting the 5'-NTR.

Recurrent digital glomus tumor: analysis of 75 cases.

Background: Glomus tumors are rare, benign, cutaneous neoplasms that must be excised completely to prevent recurrence.

Objective: To investigate factors associated with recurrence of glomus tumors after surgery.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-eight women and 17 men with digital glomus tumors underwent surgery between 1990 and 2008 at our hospital.

Protective effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination against ventilator-induced lung injury in endotoxemia rats.

Background: Pulmonary inflammatory response is crucial in mediating the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in animals experiencing endotoxemia. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are two sedative agents with potent anti-inflammatory capacity. We sought to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination against VILI in endotoxemia rats.

NEMO gene mutations in Chinese patients with incontinentia pigmenti.

Background/purpose: Incontinentia pigmenti is a rare, X-linked, dominant genodermatosis affecting skin, teeth, eyes, and central nervous system. Symptoms are associated with mutations in the nuclear factor-kappa B essential modulator (NEMO) gene on chromosome Xq28. Here, a subpopulation of Chinese patients with incontinentia pigmenti were examined to investigate the frequency and pattern of NEMO mutations, and to analyze their clinical features.

Platonin inhibits endotoxin-induced MAPK and AP-1 up-regulation.

Background: We previously have shown that platonin, a potent antioxidant, significantly attenuated inflammatory molecules up-regulation in RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line. Inflammatory molecules expression is under the regulation of activator protein-1 (AP-1), a crucial transcription factor and a heterodimeric protein that composes of proteins from c-Jun and c-Fos families.

Necrolytic acral erythema without hepatitis C infection.

Necrolytic acral erythema is a newly described entity characterized by sharply demarcated scaly plaques on the dorsum of the hands and feet. More than 30 patients have been reported since 1996, all of whom had anti-hepatitis C virus antibody. A 32-year-old Taiwanese woman had been diagnosed with and treated for systemic lupus erythematosus with lupus nephritis about 10 years earlier.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on regulating pulmonary inflammation in a rat model of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Background: We sought to elucidate the effects of dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, on the regulation of pulmonary inflammation in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in a rat model.

Methods: A total of 64 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to receive either standard ventilation (tidal volume 10 mL/kg; respiratory rate 50 breaths/minute), high-tidal volume ventilation (HVT: tidal volume 20 mL/kg; respiratory rate 50 breaths/minute), HVT plus dexmedetomidine (0.5, 2.

African tick bite fever.

Physicians may encounter unfamiliar diseases as a result of international travel. Fever with rash is an important sign that usually represents initial manifestation of infectious disorders. A 62-year-old Taiwanese woman presented with multiple eschars, a papulovesicular rash, and fever 5 days after returning from South Africa.

Nail changes and association of osteoarthritis in digital myxoid cyst.

Background: Digital myxoid cyst is relatively common on the digits. Nail changes and osteoarthritis are usually associated with this pathogenesis.

Objective: The objective was to clarify this relationship and its significance by analyzing the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data.

Isotopic response of fungal granuloma following facial herpes zoster infections - report of three cases.

Background: An isotopic response is the occurrence of a new skin disease at the site of another unrelated, healed skin disorder.

Methods: We report three cases of unilateral granulomatous fungal infection in immunocompetent patients at sites of resolved herpes zoster on the face. Diagnoses were made by potassium hydroxide preparation, histopathologic findings, and fungal culture.

Hydroa vacciniforme-like Epstein-Barr virus-associated monoclonal T-lymphoproliferative disorder in a child.

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a chronic photosensitivity disorder induced by ultraviolet radiation. Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoma is a rare cutaneous T-cell lymphoma occurring mainly in childhood. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between chronic latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and both the benign skin disorder and the lymphoma.

Congenital curved nail of the fourth toe--three different clinical presentations.

A congenital curved nail of the fourth toe (NIM 219070) is a rare nail deformity with no other associated abnormalities. Three patients with this congenital anomaly are reported here. Radiologic examination in all three revealed distal symphalangism of the fourth toes bilaterally.

Generalized Dowling-Degos disease.

Background: Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare inherited disease characterized by reticular hyperpigmentation on flexor surfaces.

Objective: We sought to describe several cases of generalized DDD, a presentation that resemble dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria.

Methods: The clinical manifestations, histopathologic, and genetic studies of a family with autosomal dominant inheritance were analyzed.

Cytoid bodies in cutaneous direct immunofluorescence examination.

Background: The clinical significance of scattered or grouped cytoid bodies seen on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) examination has not been systematically analyzed in a variety of disorders.

Methods: We prospectively studied skin biopsy specimens obtained from July 2002 to December 2005 for which DIF examination using immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, IgM, C3 and fibrinogen had been performed. Slides with cytoid bodies were further reviewed to assess the number, intensity and location of the cytoid bodies and for other specific findings.

Histopathologic-molecular correlation in early mycosis fungoides using T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction with laser capture microdissection.

Background/purpose: Early mycosis fungoides (MF) is difficult to distinguish from other benign inflammatory dermatoses. We evaluated clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a surrogate to histologic diagnosis in early MF.

Methods: Twenty paraffin-embedded skin biopsies from nine patients diagnosed with MF were included.

Verruciform xanthoma-like phenomenon in seborrheic keratosis.

Verruciform xanthoma is xanthomatous dermal infiltrate in a proliferating epidermal lesion and is an uncommon phenomenon. It has been reported in various neoplastic or inflammatory conditions. We report a 72-year-old man who had an asymptomatic 1-cm black nodule on his abdomen.

Subungual pleomorphic fibroma.

Background: Pleomorphic fibroma is a benign fibroblastic tumor characterized by pleomorphic, hyperchromatic cells or giant multinucleated cells embedded in a collagenous stroma. These cytologic features may lead to an incorrect diagnosis of malignancy. Most cases reported in the literature are located on trunk or extremities; the presentation as a subungual mass is rare.

A surgical approach to ingrown nail: partial matricectomy using CO2 laser.

Background: Ingrown nail is a deformity characterized by a transverse overcurvature of the lateral nail plate that causes nail fold inflammation. Currently recommended surgical procedures vary considerably.

Objective: We report our experience with a modified partial matricectomy and nail edge excision with CO2 laser.