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Chronic cutaneous graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) has several atypical variants. We describe two cases of GVHD with clinical and histopathologic features of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), which responded to additional immunosuppression. Recognition of this newly described PRP‐like clinical presentation of GVHD may prompt early consideration of additional steroid‐sparing therapies.

Tongue base deformation may play a critical role in the phenomenon of obstructive sleep apnea, but polysomnography provides limited information regarding the effect of tongue motion during natural sleep. We reported on preliminary results of combining a novel ultrasound system and polysomnography for simultaneous recordings during natural sleep in volunteers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea. All participants underwent time-synchronized polysomnography and submental transcutaneous ultrasound examinations. The wearable ultrasound device detected the air-mucosal interface of the tongue surface and automatically determined the maximum tongue base thickness in real time. All participants reported no sensation of heat, no sign of skin allergy, and an average of mild disturbance after the ultrasound recordings. In the individual patient with obstructive sleep apnea, we demonstrated a significant difference (P

Loss of CD26 surface expression on the circulating malignant T-cell is the most widely accepted diagnostic marker in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). CTCL cases with reemergence of CD7 and/or CD26 surface expression are unusual and of uncertain prognosis. We report the case of an erythrodermic leukemic mycosis fungoides patient who had achieved temporary remission after several months on multimodality immunotherapy and extracorporeal photopheresis, but who relapsed with aggressive disease phenotypically characterized by CD4+ T-cells with high CD26 expression. Polymerase chain reaction studies and high-throughput sequencing analyses from peripheral blood mononuclear cells at presentation and relapse consistently showed an identical clonal T-cell receptor suggesting evolution of her original malignant clone which lacked CD26 expression. Interestingly, quantitative expression of the sialomucin, CD164, mirrored her clinical picture, thus favoring its reliability as a novel biomarker in CTCL.

BACKGROUND:Sian-sianzih (fermented clams) is a popular traditional fermented food in Taiwan. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) microflora in sian-sianzih have not been studied in detail. In this study, LAB from sian-sianzih were isolated, characterized and identified. RESULTS: A total of 186 cultures of LAB were isolated from seven sian-sianzih samples and 29 cultures were isolated from its main raw substrate: clams. The identification results revealed up to 11 distinct bacterial species belonging to five genera in sian-sianzih, and three species belonging to two genera in clams. The most common bacterial genera in sian-sianzih were Lactobacillus and Weissella, followed by Leuconostoc, Pediococcus and Lactococcus. A regional similarity in LAB, with differences in diversity, was observed in the current study. On the other hand, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis was the most common species found in raw clam samples. The results also suggested that greater LAB diversity could be observed in wild clams than in cultured ones. Furthermore, antibacterial activities of the isolates were determined, and one Weisella hellenica strain showed inhibitory activity against the indicator strain Lactobacilluas sakei JCM 1157T. A sensory assessment of seven sian-sianzih samples was also performed and the results indicated that diversity of LAB has a great effect on its aroma and taste formation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that various LAB species are distributed in sian-sianzih and have a great effect on the flavor of sian-sianzih. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry