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Background: Various therapeutic modalities have been implemented for wart treatment, with limited efficacy. Recently, resistant warts treated using quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine have been reported, although original articles on the efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine on warts are rare. Objective: We performed the present study to evaluate the efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the treatment of multiple warts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients from our centers. Patient demographics, clinical features such as duration of disease, number and location of lesions, therapeutic response, and adverse reactions were assessed. Results: Regarding therapeutic response, 14 patients (46.67%) showed "Complete response", 5 (16.67%) showed "Partial response", and 11 (36.67%) showed "No response". There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, disease duration, and lesion number and location between the three groups divided by treatment response. No severe adverse events after quadrivalent HPV vaccination were noted. Conclusion: The advantage of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the treatment of warts is that it is more convenient and less painful. HPV vaccine might be a good alternative to conventional destructive methods for incompetent cases such as those including multiple warts, dangerous lesion locations, and uncooperative patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new compound, 9-dihydroxyl-2'-O-(Z)-cinnamoyl-7-methoxy-aloesin (1), and eight known compounds (2–9) were isolated fromAloe vera.Their structures were elucidated using 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra. Compound9exhibited reversible competitive inhibitory activity against the enzyme tyrosinase, with an IC50value of 9.8 ± 0.9 µM. A molecular simulation revealed that compound9interacts via hydrogen bonding with residues His244, Thr261, and Val283 of tyrosinase. Additionally, compounds3and7were shown by half-leaf assays to exhibit inhibitory activity towardsPepper mild mottle virus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Erythromelalgia is often refractory and resistant to many forms of treatment. Numerous therapeutic options have been tried, but effective treatment remains elusive. The sympathetic nervous system has been involved in various painful conditions of neuropathic, vascular, and visceral origin. Sympathetic block is helpful in making a diagnosis and managing pain. We report a case of excellent pain relief after lumbar sympathetic pulsed radiofrequency treatment in a patient with primary erythromelalgia of the lower extremities. This case suggests the viability of pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients with erythromelalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Chronic low-grade inflammation is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to determine the association between serum white blood cell (WBC) counts and the development of incidental NAFLD. Methods. In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study, we recruited participants who underwent abdominal ultrasonography and blood samplings during medical checkups in both 2005 and 2010. A total of 2,216 subjects were included in our analyses. Results. The prevalence of NAFLD in 2010 increased steadily in conjunction with increasing WBC counts in 2005 after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR) 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49–4.00 for women and OR 2.42, 95% CI = 1.61–3.63 for men, lowest quartile versus highest quartile]. Multivariate regression analysis after adjusting for age, BMI, hypertension, smoking, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and glucose levels revealed that NAFLD was significantly associated with the highest WBC quartile compared to the lowest quartile [OR 1.85, 95% CI, 1.10−3.10 for women and OR 1.68, 95% CI, 1.08−2.61 for men]. Conclusions. We demonstrated that the risk of developing NAFLD was significantly associated with WBC counts independently of metabolic factors. This finding provides novel evidence indicating that serum WBC counts may be potential surrogate markers of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) classically consists of reversible vasogenic oedema in the posterior circulation territories, which is reversible both clinically and radiologically in the majority of patients after the control of hypertension. The authors describe a 27-year-old eclamptic patient with PRES in accelerated hypertension who revealed permanent vision loss associated with bilateral Purtscher retinopathy. One of the two competing theories that explain vasogenic brain oedema in PRES is excessive autoregulation leading to the dilation of cerebral arterial vessels, particularly in the occipito-parietal vasculatures. Dysfunction of endothelial cells that results in constriction of vessels has also been hypothesised as a cause of PRES. The concurrence of bilateral vaso-occlusive retinopathy and PRES supports the hypothesis that vasoconstriction is a more plausible mechanism of vasogenic oedema in PRES. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), particularly in the alleviation of snoring. The literature provides evidence that the short-term results are promising; however, the long-term efficacy is a matter of contention. In this article, we present the results of a literature search of studies that use RFA in the treatment of SDB which have a follow-up time of greater than a year. RFA was found to be a safe technique with minimal morbidity. The overall Visual Analogue score from six studies showed the overall mean improvement to be 4.3 (confidence intervals 3.4-5.12). Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), improved significantly in five of the studies analysed. Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), improved significantly in six of the studies analysed. In conclusion, the evidence suggests that RFA for SDB results in a significant improvement in follow-up times of at least a year. Since RFA can be applied in a clinic setting and leads to minimal disruption to daily life, this treatment option can be considered for those unwilling to participate in the more traditional surgical options for SDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase ( GBA1) cause Gaucher disease (GD), a lysosomal storage disease with recessive inheritance. Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) is a lysosomal lipid hydrolase that digests glycolipid substrates, such as glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine. GBA1 mutations have been implicated in Lewy body diseases (LBDs), such as Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Parkinsonism occurs more frequently in certain types of GD, and GBA1 mutation carriers are more likely to have LBDs than non-carriers. Furthermore, GCase is often found in Lewy bodies, which are composed of α-synuclein fibrils as well as a variety of proteins and vesicles. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms of action of GBA1 mutations in LBDs with particular emphasis on α-synuclein aggregation by reviewing the current literature on the role of GCase in lysosomal functions and glycolipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case is reported of unexplained unilateral thigh muscle atrophy and frequent falling with poor response to conventional conservative treatments in a patient with bipolar disorder who self-selected acupuncture treatment as a last resort. The patient experienced gradual improvements in lower extremity weakness and fewer falls during the 8-month treatment. No adverse event or aggravation of the bipolar disorder was observed. These outcomes suggest that acupuncture may be a feasible adjunct for reducing falling and restoring postural balances in patients with bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate utricular and saccular function during the acute and resolved phases of BPPV, ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) were studied in 112 patients with BPPV and 50 normal controls in a referral-based University Hospital. Ocular (oVEMPs) and cervical VEMPs (cVEMPs) were induced using air-conducted sound (1000 Hz tone burst, 100 dB normal hearing level) at the time of initial diagnosis and 2 months after successful repositioning in patients with BPPV, and the results were compared with those of the controls. Abnormalities of cVEMPs and oVEMPs in patients with BPPV were prevalent and significantly higher compare to the healthy control group ( p < 0.01 in each VEMP by chi-square test). In the patient group, difference between the proportions of abnormal responses of cVEMP and oVEMP was not significant in both affected ( p = 0.37, chi-squared test) and non-affected ( p = 1.00) ears. The abnormalities were more likely reduced or absent responses rather than delayed ones; reduced or absent responses are 17.6% in cVEMPs (p = 0.04, chi-square) and 21.6% in oVEMPs (p < 0.01). The non-affected ear in the BPPV group also showed significantly higher abnormalities of cVEMP and oVEMP when compared to the control group. The follow-up VEMPs after repositioning maneuvers were not significantly different compared to the initial values from both stimulated affected and non-affected ears. Although most patients had unilateral BPPV, bilateral otolithic dysfunction was often shown by persistently reduced or absent cervical and ocular VEMPs, suggesting that BPPV may be caused by significant bilateral damage to the otolith organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This Letter describes the identification of potent antioxidant and anti-osteoporosis agents from the fruits of Prunus mume. From the methanol extract, a novel flavan dimer, characterized as 2β,3β-epoxy-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavan-(4α→8)-epicatechin (1), was isolated along with five known flavonoids (2–6). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, including IR, HRESIMS, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and CD spectra. The antioxidant activities of compounds 1–6 were evaluated in terms of their peroxyl radical-scavenging (Trolox equivalent) and reducing capacities. All isolates showed potent peroxyl radical-scavenging and reducing activities at concentrations of 1–10μM. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were the most active at 1μM. Anti-osteoporosis activities were investigated using both murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 significantly stimulated the differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells to increase collagen synthesis or mineralization functions of osteoblasts. Compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 significantly suppressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastic RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three new pyrrole oligoglycosides, astebatheriosides A–C (1–3), and a new furan oligoglycoside, astebatherioside D (4), were isolated from the starfish Asterina batheri by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 moderately inhibited IL-12 p40 production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) with IC50 values of 36.4, 31.6, and 22.8μM, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The impact of type of balloon such as noncompliant (NC; Quantum) or semicompliant (SC; Maverick) used after stent dilation on optimal stent expansion (OSE) has not been established for drug-eluting stents (DESs). We conducted a prospective multicenter, randomized study to compare NC with SC balloons after stent balloon dilatation. A total of 301 patients (127 men, 83 women, 62 ± 9 years of age) treated with a DES (sirolimus-eluting stent [SES], n = 152; paclitaxel-eluting stent, n = 149) were included. OSE followed the definition of the Multicenter Ultrasound Stenting in Coronaries (MUSIC) study. The primary end point was the incidence of OSE using intravascular ultrasound according to type of balloon. Baseline characteristics of each group showed no significant differences. OSE in the SC balloon group was achieved at higher rates than the NC balloon group (53 ± 35%, vs 73 ± 48%, p = 0.022 in all stents; 25 ± 33%, vs 36, 48%, p = 0.051 in SESs). However, any differences in the achievement of OSE between the NC and SC balloon groups were not present in paclitaxel-eluting stents. In conclusion, despite postadjuvant balloon inflations with high pressures, underexpansion of the DES was seen commonly. Between the 2 types of balloon for adjuvant dilation after DES implantation, same-size SC balloons could be more useful for obtaining OSE than NC balloons, especially in SESs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]