Search

Background: Growing evidence suggests that not only cerebrovascular disease but also Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathological process itself cause cerebral white matter degeneration, resulting in white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). Some preclinical evidence also indicates that white matter degeneration may precede or affect the development of AD pathology. This study aimed to clarify the direction of influence between in vivo AD pathologies, particularly beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition, and WMHs through longitudinal approach. Methods: Total 282 older adults including cognitively normal and cognitively impaired individuals were recruited from the Korean Brain Aging Study for the Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease (KBASE) cohort. The participants underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment, [11C] Pittsburgh Compound B PET for measuring Aβ deposition, [18F] AV-1451 PET for measuring tau deposition, and MRI scans with fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image for measuring WMH volume. The relationships between Aβ or tau deposition and WMH volume were examined using multiple linear regression analysis. In this analysis, baseline Aβ or tau were used as independent variables, and change of WMH volume over 2 years was used as dependent variable to examine the effect of AD pathology on increase of WMH volume. Additionally, we set baseline WMH volume as independent variable and longitudinal change of Aβ or tau deposition for 2 years as dependent variables to investigate whether WMH volume could precede AD pathologies. Results: Baseline Aβ deposition, but not tau deposition, had significant positive association with longitudinal change of WMH volume over 2 years. Baseline WMH volume was not related with any of longitudinal change of Aβ or tau deposition for 2 years. We also found a significant interaction effect between baseline Aβ deposition and sex on longitudinal change of WMH volume. Subsequent subgroup analyses showed that high baseline Aβ deposition was associated with increase of WMH volume over 2 years in female, but not in male. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Aβ deposition accelerates cerebral WMHs, particularly in female, whereas white matter degeneration appears not influence on longitudinal Aβ increase. The results also did not support any direction of influence between tau deposition and WMHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genetic features and treatment strategies of lateralized overgrowth have been elusive. We performed this study to analyze the genetic characteristics and treatment results of propranolol- or alpelisib-treated patients with lateralized overgrowth. Methods: Fifteen patients with lateralized overgrowth were involved. Clinical characteristics and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) findings were evaluated. Targeted exome sequencing with a gene panel of affected tissue and peripheral white blood cells was performed. Propranolol was administered and treatment results were evaluated. The PIK3CA inhibitor alpelisib was prescribed via a managed access program. Results: The identified mutations were PIK3CA (n = 7), KRAS (n = 2), PTEN (n = 1), MAP2K3 (n = 1), GNAQ (n = 1), TBC1D4 (n = 1), and TEK (n = 1). Propranolol was prescribed in 12 patients, and 7 experienced mild improvement of symptoms. Alpelisib was prescribed in two patients with a PIK3CA mutation, and the reduction of proliferated masses after 1 year of treatment was proved by WB-MRI. Conclusions: Targeted exome sequencing identified various genetic features of lateralized overgrowth. Propranolol could be applied as an adjuvant therapy for reducing vascular symptoms, but a PIK3CA inhibitor would be the primary therapeutic strategy for PIK3CA-related overgrowth syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit trees are perennial plant to have a characteristic requiring a long juvenile period until fruit set in general. Developing to release a new fruit cultivar is a laborious and cost- and time-consuming work. Especially, citrus breeding is not always feasible due to its cross-incompatible, sterile, and polyembryonic characteristics. Therefore, mutagenesis has been widely applied to citrus breeding to increase mutation frequency and genetic variability enabling development of new genotypes as an alternative method. Recently, various tangor (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) cultivars were released through interspecific hybridization. Many attempts have been made to induce mutations in developing tangor cultivars, while their physiological effects have not been verified yet. To investigate the effect of gamma-irradiation exerted on tangor cultivar 'Kanpei', its scions were irradiated with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Gy of gamma-rays. Then, we examined the SPAD values between the gamma-irradiated M0 plants comparing with control 'Kanpei' (0 Gy). Interestingly, we found that there are variations in SPAD values among different treatments. This implies that mutation breeding should consider different factors other than the target traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In percutaneous coronary intervention, drug-eluting stent (DES) showed better clinical outcome compared to bare-metal stent (BMS) but mostly with different DAPT durations. Hypothesis: The clinical superiority of DES over BMS may depend on the medication adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled all Koreans PCI patients in year 2011 (n = 47,291). Medication adherence to DAPT was assessed by proportion of days covered (PDC) per 6 months. Analysis adjusted with the clinical propensity for receiving DES or BMS and DAPT PDC of the first 6 month was performed. Primary outcome was the 5-year major adverse clinical event (MACE) risk consisting all-cause death, revascularization, shock, or stroke. Results: Patients with DES (n = 46,356) showed higher PDC (78% versus 60%, p<0.001) and lower MACE risk (39% versus 56%, p<0.001) compared to patients with BMS (n = 935). In the propensity-matched 1,868 patients, MACE risk was lower with DES than BMS (46% versus 54%, HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70–0.91, p<0.001). In both DES and BMS, patients with good medication adherence (PDC ≥80%) showed much lower MACE risk compared to patients with PDC <80% (HR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.30–0.44; HR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.33–0.48, p<0.001, all). Patients with DES and PDC <80% showed higher MACE risk compared to BMS with and PDC ≥80% (HR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.03–1.64, p = 0.027). Conclusions: Good medication adherence to DAPT in the first 6 month was prerequisite for better clinical outcome in both DES and BMS. DES with poor adherence to DAPT showed worse outcome compared with BMS with good adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise binding mode identification and subsequent affinity improvement without structure determination remain a challenge in the development of therapeutic proteins. However, relevant experimental techniques are generally quite costly, and purely computational methods have been unreliable. Here, we show that integrated computational and experimental epitope localization followed by full-atom energy minimization can yield an accurate complex model structure which ultimately enables effective affinity improvement and redesign of binding specificity. As proof-of-concept, we used a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein binder, called a repebody (Rb), that specifically recognizes human IgG1 (hIgG1). We performed computationally-guided identification of the Rb:hIgG1 binding mode and leveraged the resulting model to reengineer the Rb so as to significantly increase its binding affinity for hIgG1 as well as redesign its specificity toward multiple IgGs from other species. Experimental structure determination verified that our Rb:hIgG1 model closely matched the co-crystal structure. Using a benchmark of other LRR protein complexes, we further demonstrated that the present approach may be broadly applicable to proteins undergoing relatively small conformational changes upon target binding. Author summary: It is quite challenging for computational methods to determine how proteins interact and to design mutations to alter their binding affinity and specificity. Despite recent advances in computational methods, however, in silico evaluation of binding energies has proven to be extremely difficult. We show that, in the case of protein-protein interactions where only small structural changes occur upon target binding, an integrated computational and experimental approach can identify a binding mode and drive reengineering efforts to improve binding affinity or specificity. Using as a model system a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein binder that recognizes human IgG1, our approach yielded a model of the protein complex that was very similar to the subsequently experimentally determined co-crystal structure, and enabled design of variants with significantly improved IgG1 binding affinity and with the ability to recognize IgG1 from other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylosucrases (ASase, EC 2.4.1.4) from Deinococcus geothermalis (DGAS) and Neisseria polysaccharea (NPAS) were heterologously expressed in Bacillus subtilis. While DGAS was successfully expressed, NPAS was not. Instead, NPAS was expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant DGAS and NPAS were purified using nickel-charged affinity chromatography and employed to modify daidzin to enhance its water solubility and bioavailability. Analyses by LC/MS revealed that the major products of transglycosylation using DGAS were daidzein diglucoside and daidzein triglucoside, whereas that obtained by NPAS was only daidzein diglucoside. The optimal bioconversion conditions for daidzein triglucoside, which was predicted to have the highest water-solubility among the daidzin derivatives, was determined to be 4% (w/v) sucrose and 250 mg/L daidzin in sodium phosphate pH 7.0, with a reaction time of 12 h. Taken together, we suggest that the yield and product specificity of isoflavone daidzin transglycosylation may be modulated by the source of ASase and reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Light‐driven control of biological processes using photoswitchable proteins allows high spatiotemporal interrogation or manipulation of such processes, assisting in understanding their functions. Despite considerable advances, however, the wide spread use of optical control has been hampered by a limited repertoire of photoswitchable proteins and a lack of generalized design strategy. Herein, we present a repeat module‐based rational design of a photoswitchable protein composed of LRR (Leucine‐rich repeat) modules using azobenzene as a photochromic ligand. Our design approach involves the rational selection of a Cβ pair between two nearby modules within a convex region and subsequent cross‐linking with a photochromic ligand. We demonstrate the general utility and potential of our strategy by showing the design of three target‐specific photoswitchable proteins and a light‐driven modulation of the cell signaling. With an abundance of LRR proteins in nature, our approach can expand the repertoire of photoswitchable proteins for light‐driven control of biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Light‐driven control of biological processes using photoswitchable proteins allows high spatiotemporal interrogation or manipulation of such processes, assisting in understanding their functions. Despite considerable advances, however, the wide spread use of optical control has been hampered by a limited repertoire of photoswitchable proteins and a lack of generalized design strategy. Herein, we present a repeat module‐based rational design of a photoswitchable protein composed of LRR (Leucine‐rich repeat) modules using azobenzene as a photochromic ligand. Our design approach involves the rational selection of a Cβ pair between two nearby modules within a convex region and subsequent cross‐linking with a photochromic ligand. We demonstrate the general utility and potential of our strategy by showing the design of three target‐specific photoswitchable proteins and a light‐driven modulation of the cell signaling. With an abundance of LRR proteins in nature, our approach can expand the repertoire of photoswitchable proteins for light‐driven control of biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this nationwide age- and sex-matched longitudinal follow-up study was to investigate the risk of developing ischemic stroke in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods: The data in this study, spanning from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014, was obtained from a database maintained by the Korean National Health Insurance Service. A total of 12,988 patients with a diagnosis of AS were enrolled. The control group consisted of 64,940 age-sex-stratified matching subjects without AS. The 6year ischemic stroke incidence rate for each group was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio of ischemic stroke.Results: During the follow-up period, 73 patients (0.56%) in the AS group and 250 patients (0.38%) in the control group developed ischemic stroke (p = 0.0041). The hazard ratio of ischemic stroke in the AS group was 1.46 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.13-1.90) after adjusting for age and sex. The adjusted hazard ratio of ischemic stroke in the AS group was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.04-1.75) after controlling for demographics and comorbid medical disorders. According to subgroup analysis, in female and diabetes and non-hypertension and dyslipidemia subgroups, ischemic stroke incidence rates were significantly higher in AS patients than those in control group.Conclusion: Our nationwide longitudinal study suggests an increased risk of ischemic stroke in AS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed a genus-specific primer pair targeting the intracellular parasite Euduboscquella. To increase target specificity and inhibit untargeted PCR, two nucleotides were added at the 3’ end of the reverse primer, one being a complementary nucleotide to the Euduboscquella-specific SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) and the other a deliberately mismatched nucleotide. Target specificity of the primer set was verified experimentally using PCR of two Euduboscquella species (positive controls) and 15 related species (negative controls composed of ciliates, diatoms and dinoflagellates), and analytical comparison with SILVA SSU rRNA gene database (release 119) in silico. In addition, we applied the Euduboscquella-specific primer set to four environmental samples previously determined by cytological staining to be either positive or negative for Euduboscquella. As expected, only positive controls and environmental samples known to contain Euduboscquella were successfully amplified by the primer set. An inferred SSU rRNA gene phylogeny placed environmental samples containing aloricate ciliates infected by Euduboscquella in a cluster discrete from Euduboscquella groups a-d previously reported from loricate, tintinnid ciliates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated a smart reflector using stacked double photoluminescence cholesteric liquid crystal (PL-CLC) layers. This smart reflector reflects external incident light and emits light by converting the UV light coming from a backlight. The smart reflector made of two PL-CLC layers of left- and right-handed helixes has a high effective reflectance owing to the photonic crystal structure of the CLCs and the re-emission of light after absorbing the short-wavelength external lights. The smart reflector can be used to devise a reflective-emissive-type display by combining with any reflective display; here we demonstrate an electrowetting display (EWD) device combined with the smart reflector. The EWD with smart reflector has good visibility under all ambient brightness conditions. Hence, the smart reflector can provide a new way to achieve a low-power portable display with excellent visibility in conditions ranging from dark surroundings to under bright sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The move to community-based practice is often accompanied by doubts about the veracity of the research or clinical data that might be generated. Critics contend that the introduction of subjectivity that accompanies this maneuver obscures the empirical side of social existence, and thus compromises the discovery of facts. But this erroneous conclusion rests on confusion about several key philosophical distinctions that are discussed in this paper. The clarification that results from addressing these issues enhances the utility of community-based health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syndinean dinoflagellate Euduboscquella costata n. sp., an intracellular parasite of the tintinnid ciliate Schmidingerella arcuata, was discovered from Korean coastal water in November of 2013. Euduboscquella costata parasitized in about 62% of the host population, with infection intensity (= number of trophonts in a single host cell) ranging from 1 to 8. Based on morphology and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, the parasite is new to science. Euduboscquella costata n. sp. had an infection cycle typical of the genus, but had morphological and developmental features that distinguished it from congeneric species. These features include: (1) episome of the trophont with 25-40 grooves converging toward the center of the shield; (2) a narrow, funnel-shaped lamina pharyngea extending from the margin of the episomal shield to the nucleus; (3) persistence of grooves during extracellular development (sporogenesis); (4) a single food vacuole during sporogenesis; (5) separation of sporocytes early in sporogenesis, regardless of type of spore formed; and (6) dinospore size (ca. 14 μm in length) and shape (bulbous episome with narrower, tapering hyposome). After sporogenesis, E. costata produced four different types of spore that showed completely identical 18S rRNA gene sequences. The gene sequence was completely identical with a previously reported population, Euduboscquella sp. ex S. arcuata, from Assawoman Bay, USA, indicating that the two populations are likely conspecific. Favella ehrenbergii, a widely recorded tintinnid known to host Euduboscquella spp., co-occurred with S. arcuata, but was not infected by E. costata in field samples or during short-term, cross-infection experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A touch controller is proposed for on-cell capacitive touch screen panel systems, which adopts a newly proposed peaking noise detector and low-frequency rejection filters. Implemented in a 0.35- \mu\m CMOS, the proposed touch controller with 3.3-V drive signal shows the maximum signal-to-noise ratio and scan rate of 45 dB and 150 Hz, respectively, while consuming 18 mW from a 3.3-V supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current understandings about coping have been shaped by a neo-liberal economic philosophy. This article examines the symbolic side of this outlook and considers the ways in which market imagery reinforces coping as a model of global integration. This philosophy, however, has been documented to threaten well-being. Moreover, within various philosophical fields, the assumptions that guide market imagery have lost credibility. This shift in thinking is examined and calls for a rethinking of market-based coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Putrescine finds wide industrial applications in the synthesis of polymers, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and surfactants. Owing to economic and environmental concerns, the microbial production of putrescine has attracted a great deal of attention, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is known to be a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway. Herein, we present the design of ODC from Escherichia coli with high catalytic efficiency using a structure-based rational approach. Through a substrate docking into the model structure of the enzyme, we first selected residues that might lead to an increase in catalytic activity. Of the selected residues that are located in the α-helix and the loops constituting the substrate entry site, a mutational analysis of the single mutants identified two key residues, I163 and E165. A combination of two single mutations resulted in a 62.5-fold increase in the catalytic efficiency when compared with the wild-type enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations of the best mutant revealed that the substrate entry site becomes more flexible through mutations, while stabilizing the formation of the dimeric interface of the enzyme. Our approach can be applied to the design of other decarboxylases with high catalytic efficiency for the production of various chemicals through bio-based processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein dynamics have been suggested to have a crucial role in biomolecular recognition, but the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we performed single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements for wild-type maltose-binding protein (MBP) and its variants to demonstrate the interplay of conformational dynamics and molecular recognition. Kinetic analysis provided direct evidence that MBP recognizes a ligand through an 'induced-fit' mechanism, not through the generally proposed selection mechanism for proteins with conformational dynamics such as MBP. Our results indicated that the mere presence of intrinsic dynamics is insufficient for a 'selection' mechanism. An energetic analysis of ligand binding implicated the critical role of conformational dynamics in facilitating a structural change that occurs upon ligand binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Vitamin C attenuates ERK signalling to inhibit the regulation of collagen production by LL-37 in human dermal fibroblasts. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e258-e264. Abstract: Vitamin C is used as an anti-ageing agent because of its collagen enhancing effects. The precise cellular signalling mechanism of vitamin C is not well known. Here, we investigate the profibrotic mechanism of vitamin C against LL-37. Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 decreases collagen expression at mRNA and protein levels in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The ability of LL-37 to inhibit collagen expression is dependent on phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). HDFs and human keloid fibroblasts were treated with vitamin C followed by 2 h of LL-37 treatment. Collagen mRNA expression and total soluble collagen production inhibited by LL-37 was enhanced by treatment with 0.5 m m vitamin C. Vitamin C also decreased intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) levels that were increased by LL-37. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ERK was analysed by Western blot following treatment with vitamin C and LL-37. Vitamin C turned off phosphorylation of ERK that was induced by LL-37. Ets-1 transcriptional factor, which is involved in the regulation of collagen expression by LL-37, was also inhibited by vitamin C. This study shows that vitamin C enhances collagen production by inhibiting the ERK pathway induced by LL-37. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campesterol, a plant sterol in nature, is known to have cholesterol lowering and anticarcinogenic effects. Since angiogenesis is essential for cancer, it was surmised that an antiangiogenic effect may be involved in the anticancer action of this compound. This study investigated the effect of campesterol on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced angiogenesis in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Campesterol isolated from an ethylacetate fraction of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. showed a weak cytotoxicity in non-proliferating HUVECs. Within the non-cytotoxic concentration range, campesterol significantly inhibited the bFGF-induced proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner, while it did not affect the motility of HUVECs. Furthermore, campesterol effectively disrupted the bFGF-induced neovascularization in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo. Taken together, these results support a potential antiangiogenic action of campesterol via an inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and capillary differentiation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation characteristics of toluene in enrichment culture were investigated in soil microcosms study and the optimum environmental conditions for anaerobic degradation of toluene coupled with sulfate reduction were determined for field site applications. Anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria were enriched from oil contaminated soil samples with toluene. Enriched consortia degraded toluene with sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor. The average degradation rate of toluene in enriched consortia ranged from 0.08 to 0.1 μmol g[SUB-1] day[SUB-1]. Toluene degradation under sulfate-reducing condition was inhibited in the presence of molybdate alone or together with nitrate or fumarate, indicating that toluene is degraded directly by sulfate-reducing bacteria. E=ects of initial toluene concentration, pH, temperature, and other hydrocarbons on toluene degradation were investigated. There is a trend of increasing rate of toluene degradation with increasing the initial mass up to 94 μmol of toluene. Toluene degradation did not affected by the presence of ethylbenzene and xylene, as a while, toluene was degraded in a slower rate in the presence of benzene. The sulfate-reducing bacteria in the enriched culture showed higher microbial activity at neutral (pH 6-8) and medium temperature (30-37°C) environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a common skin disease, especially in the workplace, but determining the recovery time of chronic ICD is not easy. To measure the recovery time of chronic ICD, we examined the skin reactivity to a model surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), on previous chronic ICD and normal sites by visual grade and non-invasive instruments. Chronic ICD was induced on the forearms of 10 volunteers (aged 23 to 43 years) by occluded application of 1% SLS for 30 min on 5 consecutive days each week for 3 weeks. Previous ICD and normal sites were provoked by the occluded application of 7.5% SLS for 30 min daily on 4 consecutive days, 2, 5 and 10 weeks after induction. Skin reactivity was assessed daily by awarding visual erythema scores, visual scale scores and measuring transepidermal water loss, skin color reflectance, and electrical capacitance. Skin reactivity of previous chronic ICD sites to SLS showed hyperreactivity compared to normal sites even after the 10th week post-induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated 4.3-inch WVGA fringe-field switching mode with fast response time using reactive mesogen (RM) mixed in planar alignment layer. The RM-mixed alignment layer gave rise to improvement of the response time by an enhancement of azimuthal anchoring energy. In addition, due to low pretilt angle of the RM-mixed alignment layer, no gray inversion was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by Alexandriumcatenella (formerly A. tamarense) in Korean coastal waters caused the deaths of four people (in 1986 and 1996) who consumed contaminated mussels (Mytilus edulis). This led to more detailed consideration of the risks of PST outbreaks and incidents in Korea, including the introduction of shellfish collection bans. In this study, we investigated the relationships between A. catenella population dynamics and PST accumulation in the mussel M. galloprovincialis. Discharges from the Nakdong River affect the environmental conditions along the Geoje coast, resulting in low salinity and high nutrient levels that trigger blooms of A. catenella. At the toxin peak on 24 April 2017, the toxins detected in A. catenella cells were C1, gonyautoxin (GTX)1 and GTX2, whereas the concentrations of PSTs in M. galloprovincialis were high and in the order of GTX4 > GTX1 > GTX3 > saxitoxin (STX) > GTX2 > neoSTX > decarbamoylgonyautoxin (dcGTX)2 > dc GTX3. The PST level in mussels was also high. At 15 °C, the PSTs are constantly found to be higher (10-fold higher in 2017 and 30-fold higher in 2018) than safe levels for human consumption (80 μg STX diHCl equivalents 100 g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors regret to state that an incorrect image was uploaded in Fig. 2. Please see a newly updated Fig. 2. All statements including Figure Legends are correct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10-day-old boy presented with an 11-cm × 7-cm asymptomatic well-demarcated alopecic verrucous yellowish plaque on the right temporoparietal area, a 5-cm × 3-cm verrucous yellowish plaque on the forehead, and a linear plaque extending from the forehead to the nose ridge present since birth. He also had a 2-cm pedunculated mass from the right bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva (Fig. 1). The gestational age was 39 weeks and 5 days and he weighed 4.04 kg at birth. No abnormalities were observed upon physical examination except for the cutaneous and optical findings. An examination of the fundus revealed macular agenesis and peripapillary atrophy (Fig. 2). No family history was revealed. The results of laboratory tests, including complete blood count, blood chemistry, immunochemical study, screening test for inborn metabolic disorders (methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, galactose, thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone), and antibody tests to TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus), were normal. The results from the chromosomal study, brainstem auditory evoked potential, and visual evoked potential were normal. Chest and skull X-ray did not show any abnormal signs. Orbit and brain magnetic resonance images showed findings suggesting a lipodermoid cyst from the right eyeball and subdural hygroma or arachnoid cysts in both of the frontal and both of the temporal areas (Fig. 3). The histopathologic examination of a lesional biopsy specimen revealed hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis in the epidermis, large numbers of sebaceous glands of various sizes, and immature hair structures in the dermis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-year-old man had asymptomatic erythematous nodule on the right inguinal area, which had progressively grown for 2 years. Excision was performed at the Department of Urology of our hospital. Two months later, there was local recurrence on the excision site, and it extended locally to make several tender erythematous nodules on the right inguinal area and firm plaque on the scrotum (Fig. 1). Histopathologic examination of the excision specimen revealed large cell masses with tubular or cribriform pattern and many small, solid epithelial islands unattached to the overlying epidermis. The tumor was confined to the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Round spaces formed by malignant epithelial cells and containing amorphophilic basement membrane-like material occured inside the tumor masses. The tumor cells were basaloid cells with scanty cytoplasm and deeply stained round-to-oval nucleus (Fig. 2). There was clear perineural involvement by the tumor cells. A substance in the pseudoglandular spaces, cystic spaces and the stroma was stained strongly with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (pH 2.5). A PAS-positive substance was digested by diastase pretreatment. These findings suggested the substance to be a neutral mucopolysaccharide. Immunoperoxidase staining for S-100 protein and cytokeratin were strongly positive with the tumor cells but not with carcinoembryonic antigen. A histopathologic diagnosis of ACC was made. Salivary glands, bronchi, esophagus, and other organs were examined, but there was no evidence of neoplasm in other organs. A diagnosis of primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma was made but the patient refused all the treatment, including surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]