Vitiligo in children and adolescents: association with thyroid dysfunction

Background The clinical characteristics of vitiligo in children and adolescents with an emphasis on thyroid dysfunction have only been reported in a few studies. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of children and adolescents with vitiligo and compare the incidence of thyroid dysfunction between them and controls without vitiligo at the same age. Methods A retrospective analysis of 324 Korean children and adolescents with vitiligo was performed. The results of thyroid function screening tests in them (n = 254) were compared with controls (n = 122). Results Of the total 324 children and adolescents with vitiligo, vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type (42.3%) and the most commonly involved site was the face (54.6%). A total of 15 of 254 (5.9%) patients screened for thyroid function were diagnosed with thyroid disease (four had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; two, Graves’ disease; seven, subclinical hypothyroidism; and two, subclinical hyperthyroidism). None of the 50 patients with segmental vitiligo showed any thyroid dysfunction (P = 0.047). There was no significant difference in the incidence of thyroid disease between children and adolescents with vitiligo and the control group, in which seven of 122 (5.7%) showed thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion In this study, we demonstrated the characteristics of children and adolescents with vitiligo and also observed no significant difference in the incidence of thyroid disease between children and adolescents with vitiligo and the control group.     

Rising Proportion of Young Individuals With Rectal and Colon Cancer

Background

Recent trends have identified increasing number of young individuals with rectal and colon cancers. These individuals, who are younger than 50 years old, in most instances would not meet screening guidelines. We aimed to report the characteristics and trend of the rising proportion of young individuals being diagnosed with rectal and colon cancers at our institutions.

Adiponectin and insulin cross talk: The microvascular connection

Adiponectin exerts both vasodilatory and insulin-sensitizing actions and its levels are decreased in insulin-resistant humans and animals. The mechanisms underlying adiponectin?s insulin-sensitizing effect have been extensively investigated but remain largely unclear. Muscle microvasculature critically regulates muscle insulin action by modulating insulin delivery to the microvessels nurturing the muscle cells and the trans-endothelial insulin transport. We have recently reported that adiponectin exerts its insulin-sensitizing effect via recruiting muscle microvasculature, expanding the endothelial surface area, and increasing insulin delivery to and thus action in muscle. The current review focuses on the microvascular connection between the adiponectin and insulin cross talk.     

Carotid webs and ischemic stroke: Experiences in a comprehensive stroke center

Background and purpose

Carotid webs are intraluminal filling defects at the carotid bulb which are considered rare, though possibly underappreciated entities with recent studies demonstrating a likely casual association with ischemic stroke. The purpose of the study is to describe our recent experience with clinical and imaging manifestations of carotid webs.

A comparative study on clinical characterizations between acute myelitis onset of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease and idiopathic transverse myelitis

ABSTRACT

Background/Aims

Both of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSDs) and idiopathic transverse myelitis (ITM) could present as acute transverse myelitis. However, long-term immunological treatment and prognosis are different for high recurrence of NMOSDs. In this study, we summarized clinical differences between acute attack myelitis of NMOSDs and ITM, we further screened serum auto-antibodies to help understand the two distinct clinical entities.     

膀胱间质细胞与膀胱病理生理

膀胱间质细胞（interstitial cell，IC）是一种缺乏厚纤丝、致密体，且基底膜、粗面内质网和高尔基体不完整的细胞。IC分为四个亚型，即固有层IC、肌间IC、肌束间IC和血管周围IC。固有层IC和肌间IC的离子电流及相关激活途径不同，但最终都通过Ca2+信号途径作用于膀胱逼尿肌。膀胱病变可影响IC离子电流和Ca2+信号途径而导致膀胱功能障碍，这些膀胱病变包括膀胱出口梗阻、膀胱疼痛综合征、间质性膀胱炎、神经源性膀胱和糖尿病膀胱。目前以IC为靶点的治疗主要采用甲磺酸伊马替尼，电刺激针灸治疗是一个新的方向。