Benign lymphoepithelial tumor of the pituitary

Here, we report a case of lymphoepithelial tumor that developed in the sellar and suprasellar regions in a 56‐year‐old woman. The lesion was composed of abundant but benign squamous cell nests (Erdheim's nests) and heavy lymphoid tissue with well‐developed lymphoid follicles. Therefore, it mimicked tonsil or adenoid tissue, but was disorganized. We report this case to define the pathogenesis and proper diagnostic terminology of this unusual sellar and suprasellar lesion, and we assume that its origin is the infundibulum.     

Effects of test item disclosure on medical licensing examination

In 2012, the National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board of Korea decided to publicly disclose all test items and answers to satisfy the test takers’ right to know and enhance the transparency of tests administered by the government. This study investigated the effects of item disclosure on the medical licensing examination (MLE), examining test taker performance, psychometric characteristics, and factors affecting pass rates. This paper analyzed examinee performance data (n = 20,455) from 41 medical schools who took the MLE before (2009–2011) and after (2012–2014) the item disclosure policy (5548 total items). Changes in passing rates, performance of examinee, difficulty and reliability of the test, and factors affecting pass rate of the medical licensing examination before and after item disclosure were analyzed. In order to identify changes caused by item disclosure in the effects of student and school variables on the passing rate of MLE, Binary Logistic Hierarchical Linear Model was used. There was no significant change in pass rates before and after item disclosure. There was a modest increase in the proportion of test takers in the high-scoring group, following item disclosure. Degree completion status, gender, age of applicants and school mean were significant factors affecting pass rates, regardless of item disclosure. There was no difference between passing rates before and after item disclosure with respect to student- and school-level variables. Despite potential concerns for changes in test and examinee characteristics, empirical findings indicate that there was no significant difference caused by implementing item disclosure.     

Factors for good near and distance visual outcomes of multifocal intraocular lens with inferior segmental near add

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - This study was conducted to investigate factors related to postoperative good near and distance visual outcomes in the Lentis...     

Effect of Storage Conditions and Activation on Growth Factor Concentration in Platelet-Rich Plasma

This study aimed to evaluate growth factor concentration in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (leukocyte-rich PRP) based on storage temperature, duration of storage, and method of activation. PRP samples were stored at 24℃ (room temperature group), 4℃ (refrigerator group), and −70℃ (deep-freezer group). In each temperature, four aliquots were prepared based on the time of analysis (immediately, 1, 3, and 7 days after preparation). After storage, concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-B) were assessed with/without activation using Quantikine colorimetric sandwich immunoassay kits. PRP was activated with 10% Triton-X for PDGF-AA, VEGF, FGF-B, IGF-1 measurement and sonication for TGF-β1 measurement. Without activation, PDGF-AA concentration was highest on day 7 in the room temperature group. With activation, the concentration of PDGF-AA was constant over the observation period at all temperatures. Without activation, the TGF-β1 concentration remained negligible over the observation period at all temperatures. However, with activation, TGF-β1 gradually increased to its highest concentration on day 7 at all temperatures. Over the observation period, VEGF and IGF-1 concentrations were constant with and without activation at all temperatures. Without activation, FGF-B concentration increased, with the highest concentration observed on day 7 in the deep-freezer group. With activation, FGF-B concentration decreased after day 1 in the room temperature group. Growth factor concentration in PRP differed significantly based on storage temperature, duration of storage, and method of activation. Appropriate storage conditions and activation are important to optimize its effects on desired clinical outcomes. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:777-784, 2020     

Effect of natural extract eye drops in dry eye disease rats

AIM: To reveal a novel MITF gene mutation in Waardenburg syndrome (WS), which is an autosomal dominant inherited neurogenic disorder that consists of various degrees of sensorineural deafness and pigmentary abnormalities in the eyes, hair and skin. METHODS: The genetic analysis of the Chinese family was conducted by whole-exome sequencing, then the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: WS is classified into type I to IV, which are identified by the W index, clinical characteristics and additional features. The MITF gene mostly accounts for WS type II. In this study, a de novo heterozygous mutation in the MITF gene, c.638A>G in exon 7, was identified in the patient diagnosed with WS type I features, as the W index was 2.17 (over 2.10), with dystrophia canthorum, congenital bilateral profound hearing loss, bilateral heterochromia irides, premature greying of the hair, and excessive freckling on the face at birth. She also underwent refractive errors and esotropia, reduced pigmentation of the choroid and visible choroid vessels. The mutation was not found in previous studies or mutation databases. CONCLUSION: The novel mutation in the MITF gene, which altered the protein in amino acids 213 from the glutamic acid to glycine, is the genetic pathological cause for WS features in the patient. Those characteristics of this family revealed a novel genetic heterogeneity of MITF in WS, which expanded the database of MITF mutations and offered a possible in correcting the W index value of WS in distinct ethnicities. Moreover, ocular symptoms should be emphasized in all types of WS patients.