We compare the trace element geochemistry of scheelite from the economic Sangdong W-Mo deposit with scheelite from unmineralized or sub-economic prospects in Joongdong and Sangdong area in the ...southern Taebaeksan metallogenic region, to investigate the ore-forming processes controlling scheelite mineralization and to provide a geochemical model for W exploration. In the Sangdong W-Mo deposit, the Mo substitution into scheelite as a powellite (CaMoO
4
) component changed colors of scheelite fluorescence under short-wavelength UV from yellow (Mo up to 51,000 µg/g) to blue (Mo up to 3.2 µg/g). Low-Mo scheelite with blue fluorescence occurred in the low-grade periphery of the Sangdong deposit and contained higher concentrations of Sr, possibly indicating a lower degree of fluid-rock interaction of the scheelite-forming fluid with Sr-bearing host. Mo-rich scheelite with yellow fluorescence accumulated in the W-rich center of the Sangdong deposit. Hence, the fluorescence color of scheelite reflected both the fluids oxidation state and the degree of fluid-rock interaction and might be useful for scheelite exploration in the Taebaeksan region. In the Sangdong deposit, Nb concentrations in scheelite were high and negatively correlated with its Eu anomaly values, suggesting extensive batholith-scale fractionation in a large magmatic reservoir. Conversely, much lower Nb concentrations of scheelite in the Joondong area suggests a relatively small or isolated magma reservoir that did not reach the same degree of fractionation at the point of fluid saturation, which would limit the potential for an economic scheelite mineralization. Scheelite Nb/ Ta ratio is found to effectively differentiate economic orebodies and subeconomic prospects in the Taebaeksan metallogenic region and might be a useful parameter for scheelite exploration.
Using a combined approach of seafloor mapping, MAPR and CTD survey, we report evidence for active hydrothermal venting along the 130°‐140°E section of the poorly‐known South‐East Indian Ridge (SEIR) ...from the Australia‐Antarctic Discordance (AAD) to the George V Fracture Zone (FZ). Along the latter, we report Eh and CH4 anomalies in the water column above a serpentinite massif, which unambiguously testify for ultramafic‐related fluid flow. This is the first time that such circulation is observed on an intermediate‐spreading ridge. The ridge axis itself is characterized by numerous off‐axis volcanoes, suggesting a high magma supply. The water column survey indicates the presence of at least ten distinct hydrothermal plumes along the axis. The CH4:Mn ratios of the plumes vary from 0.37 to 0.65 denoting different underlying processes, from typical basalt‐hosted to ultramafic‐hosted high‐temperature hydrothermal circulation. Our data suggest that the change of mantle temperature along the SEIR not only regulates the magma supply, but also the hydrothermal activity. The distribution of hydrothermal plumes from a ridge segment to another implies secondary controls such as the presence of fractures and faults along the axis or in the axial discontinuities. We conclude from these results that hydrothermal activity along the SEIR is controlled by magmatic processes at the regional scale and by the tectonics at the segment scale, which influences the type of hydrothermal circulation and leads to various chemical compositions. Such variety may impact global biogeochemical cycles, especially in the Southern Ocean where hydrothermal venting might be the only source of nutrients.
Key Points
Intense and contrasted hydrothermal activity has been evidenced along the South‐East Indian Ridge in the Furious Fifties
Ultramafic circulation is evidenced in the George V FZ, which is the first observation of this type along an intermediate‐spreading ridge
Chemical compositions of the plumes reveal various regional and local controls on the hydrothermal circulation
Background Various repigmentation patterns such as perifollicular, marginal, diffuse, and mixed configuration can occur in vitiligo. The aim of this study was to clinically assess the types of ...repigmentation patterns obtained with narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy or targeted phototherapy using a 308 nm excimer laser and to reveal whether the repigmentation patterns have any relationship to the location of lesions, patient’s age, duration of lesions, or speed of improvement.
Methods This study enrolled 51 patients who had effective responses as compared with baseline when treated with NBUVB alone and 52 patients who had effective responses as compared with baseline when treated with excimer laser alone. We evaluated the repigmentation patterns when the responses to treatments appeared.
Results The most frequent repigmentation pattern was the perifollicular type in both groups treated with NBUVB (42.2%) or excimer laser (51.3%), followed by marginal, diffuse, and combined, in that order. There was no significant difference in the repigmentation pattern according to the location of lesions, patient’s age, or duration of lesions. The marginal pattern was predominant in both NBUVB and excimer laser‐treated groups when excellent responses (more than 75% repigmentation achieved at 12 weeks) appeared.
Conclusions The repigmentation patterns according to location, age, duration of lesions, and speed of response showed similarities in both the NBUVB and excimer laser‐treated groups.
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•The Zn-Pb orebodies in the Taebaeksan region were formed by magmatic-hydrothermal activities.•Economic Zn-Pb mineralization is associated with minimal fluid-rock interaction.•Trace ...elements in sphalerites show a temperature-dependent systematic trend.•Geochemistry of the sphalerite provides insights regarding hidden Zn-Pb orebody.
The Taebaeksan region, located in the northeastern part of South Korea, is an important metallogenic province which hosts numerous Zn-Pb-W-Mo-Fe-Cu (-Au-Ag) mineral systems. The Zn-Pb orebodies in the region (inclusive of skarn, carbonate replacement, and vein-breccia ore types) are hosted on the early Paleozoic carbonate sequences and they are associated with late Cretaceous to early Paleogene magmatic-hydrothermal activities. We collected Zn-Pb orebodies from 15 areas including non-metal deposits, such as high-Ca calcite marble, as well as exploration sites in the Taebaeksan metallogenic province. Thereafter, we studied the geochemistry of the sphalerite present in them to understand the regional Zn-Pb mineralization process and to establish an exploration strategy.
The sphalerites collected from the region contained detectable amounts of Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Ge, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, W, Tl, Pb, and Bi which were identified using microbeam techniques like EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. Sphalerites from economically significant Zn-Pb deposits characteristically have high Mn and low Cd content, while W (-Mo)-bearing deposits have remarkably high Cd content. Correlation trends between trace elements demonstrate the coupled substitution mechanisms such as 3 Zn2+ ↔ 2 (Cu+ or Ag+) + Sn4+ and 2 Zn2+ ↔ Cu+ + In3+, occurring in the sphalerite. High-temperature ores such as skarn and vein-breccia are relatively enriched with Co and In, while Ga, Ag, and Sn tend to be concentrated in the relatively low-temperature ores, such as carbonate replacement type ores.
Lead isotope compositions of the sphalerites show a well-defined, positive, linear trend with those of the local Cretaceous intrusions and the sedimentary sequence of the Taebaeksan region. Major economic Zn-Pb deposits show relatively more signatures of non-radiogenic Pb isotope closer to the intrusions, as compared to the minor and sub-economic Zn-Pb orebodies. The Pb isotope signature suggests that Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal fluids with a minimal degree of fluid-rock interactions are required for economic Zn-Pb mineralization in the Taebaeksan metallogenic province.
A collection of plasma cells in the skin can represent a broad spectrum of disease entities. Secondary syphilis, primary cutaneous plasmacytoma, primary cutaneous plasmacytosis, cutaneous lymphoid ...hyperplasia and nodular amyloidosis are considered possible differential diagnoses. We present a case of a 7‐year‐old girl with an erythematous scaly plaque on her right buttock that had been present for approximately 5 years. Prior to her visit to our department she had been treated at a local dermatology clinic with topical methylprednisolone acetate and topical calcitriol without significant improvement. Histopathological examination revealed psoriasiform hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and a band‐like or dense perivascular infiltration of plasma cells with a few lymphocytes and histiocytes. Other laboratory tests were within the reference ranges. At our department, the patient was given oral prednisolone along with an intralesional injection of triamcinolone and application of topical methylprednisolone acetate and tacrolimus hydrate to the affected area. The lesion improved significantly but recurred 3 months later. We present a rare case of isolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in a female pre‐adolescent child.
Patients with zoster-associated pain exhibit a variety of sensory symptoms and forms of pain and complain of different pain patterns. The purpose of this study is to subgroup patients with ...zoster-associated pain who visited a hospital using painDETECT sensory symptom scores, analyze their respective characteristics and pain-related data, and compare similarities and differences among the groups.
The characteristics of 1,050 patients complaining of zoster-associated pain and pain-related data were reviewed retrospectively. To identify subgroups of patients with zoster-associated pain according to sensory symptom profiles, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on the responses to a painDETECT questionnaire. Demographics and pain-related data were compared among all subgroups.
Patients with zoster-associated pain were classified into 5 subgroups according to the distribution of sensory profiles, with each subgroup exhibiting distinct differences in the expression of sensory symptoms. Patients in cluster 1 complained of burning sensations, allodynia, and thermal sensitivity, but felt numbness less strongly. Cluster 2 and 3 patients complained of burning sensations and electric shock-like pain, respectively. Cluster 4 patients complained of most sensory symptoms at similar intensities and reported relatively strong prickling pain. Cluster 5 patients suffered from both burning and shock-like pains. Patient ages and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease were significantly lower in cluster 1. Patients in clusters 1 and 4 reported longer pain duration compared with those in clusters 2 and 3. However, no significant differences were found with respect to sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, mental health problems, and sleep disturbance. Pain scores, distribution of dermatomes and gabapentinoid use were also similar among the groups.
Five different subgroups of patients with zoster-associated pain were identified on the basis of sensory symptoms. A subgroup of younger patients with longer pain duration showed specific and distinct symptoms, such as burning sensations and allodynia. Unlike patients with acute or subacute pain, patients with chronic pain were associated with diverse sensory symptom profiles.
Nitric oxide (NO) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) play important roles in the regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation. However, it has not been examined whether human periodontal ...ligament (PDL) cells can differentiate into osteoblast-like cells by NO activity mediated via HO-1. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of NO on proliferation and differentiation in human PDL cells, and to identify the underlying mechanism of its actions. Primary human PDL cells were cultured with NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP); cell proliferation and differentiation were measured. NO production, cell viability and cell proliferation were evaluated using the Griess reagent, MTT assay and BrdU incorporation, respectively. To analyze differentiation, we measured alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OC), osteonectin (ON) expression, and bone sialoprotein (BSP) by Western blotting. SNP-induced NO production is associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase induction in a time and dose-dependent manner. SNP resulted in decreased cell proliferation and increased expression of osteogenic differentiation markers such as ALP, OC, ON and BSP. Maximal HO-1 was reached with 0.05 mM SNP and gradually decreased with 1.0 mM. Treatment with an HO-1 inhibitor and selective inhibitors of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 and nuclear factor-kappaB blocked the SNP-induced growth inhibition, as well as osteoblastic differentiation. These data suggest that NO-induced osteogenic differentiation through HO-1 may be an important mediator of periodontal regeneration or bone tissue engineering.
Fusarium species are non-dermatophytic moulds, which are commonly known soil saprophytes and important plant pathogens, and have been frequently reported to be aetiological agents of opportunistic ...infections in humans. The prevalence of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium species varies in the literature because of geographical differences in mould distribution and diagnostic methods. Onychomycosis caused by Fusarium species is considered rare in Korea, and only four cases have been described to date. Pseudomonas aeruginosa also can infect nails and cause green nail syndrome, and recent research has shown that fungal infection may potentiate the colonisation or growth of P. aeruginosa within a nail. Furthermore, such coinfection with P. aeruginosa can prevent the isolation of the fungus because of bacterial overgrowth in culture. The authors report the cases of two immunocompetent patients with F. solani onychomycosis coinfected with P. aeruginosa. Both presented with a greenish/yellowish discolouration and thickening of a thumbnail, and were treated with systemic ciprofloxacin in combination with itraconazole or terbinafine.
Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is currently a very important procedure for surgeons. This study aimed to describe the initial clinical experience of NOTES-assisted vaginal ...hysterectomy (NAVH) and to investigate its feasibility and surgical outcomes compared with single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (SP-LAVH).
Retrospective chart analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).
One university-affiliated hospital.
Women undergoing NAVH or SP-LAVH for benign uterine diseases.
NAVH using a novel homemade NOTES system comprised a glove-wound retractor NOTES port or SP-LAVH using conventional laparoscopic instruments and an umbilical glove port.
Since July 2012, 16 patients with benign uterine disease have undergone NAVH. Another 32 paired, SP-LAVH patients from the registered database were used to compare these 2 modalities of laparoscopic-assisted techniques for vaginal hysterectomy. All NAVHs were completed successfully without the need of an additional port or conversion to the standard laparoscopic approach. Intraoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes were assessed in both groups of patients. There was also no significant difference between both groups in perioperative outcomes such as estimated blood loss, decrease in hemoglobin on postoperative day 1, amount of analgesic drugs used, postoperative visual analog scale pain score, and febrile complications, except for operative time and length of postoperative hospital stay. The mean operative time was 70.6 ± 12.8 minutes for NAVH and 93.2 ± 21.4 minutes for SP-LAVH (p < .001). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 3-5) for NAVH and 4 days (range, 3-6) for SP-LAVH (p < .001).
The findings show that NAVH is a feasible and safe surgical technique and has a short operative time and postoperative hospital stay compared with SP-LAVH. This new technique at least offers similar surgical outcomes and superior cosmesis in our opinion compared with SP-LAVH. However, prospective studies are needed to determine its full clinical application.
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