Lee C, et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2021 Mar;100(3):186-192. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2021.100.3.186

Onychogryphosis is a disorder of nail plate growth that is clinically characterized by an opaque, yellow-brown thickening of the nail plate with associated gross hyperkeratosis, elongation, and increased curvature. It is most common in older adults and patients with poor personal care. It is a relatively common and important condition because patients may suffer from pain, secondary complications, and cosmetic concerns. We present the case of a 67-year-old man with a 30-year history of severe thickening, abnormal growth, and yellow discoloration of his left great toenail, clinically consistent with onychogryphosis. This review highlights the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for onychogryphosis.

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is an extremely rare condition with symptoms of recurrent intestinal obstruction without any lesions. The outcomes of pediatric CIPO and predictors for the outcomes have not yet been well established. We analyzed the clinical outcomes and associated factors for the outcomes of pediatric CIPO. We retrospectively reviewed 66 primary CIPO patients diagnosed between January 1985 and December 2017. We evaluated parenteral nutrition (PN) factors such as PN duration, PN use over 6 months, home PN, and mortality as outcomes. We selected onset age, presence of urologic symptoms, pathologic type, and involvement extent as predictors. The early-onset CIPO was found in 63.6%, and 21.2% of the patients presenting with urologic symptoms. Of the 66 patients, 47 and 11 had neuropathy and myopathy, respectively. The generalized involvement type accounted for 83.3% of the cases. At the last follow-up, 24.2% of the patients required home PN management. The mean duration of PN was 11.8 ± 21.0 months. The overall mortality rate of primary CIPO was 18.2%. PN factors were predicted by the urologic symptoms and extent of involvement. However, mortality was predicted by pathologic type. The onset age was not significantly associated with the outcomes. CIPO with urologic symptoms and generalized CIPO had poor PN outcomes. Myopathy is suggested as a predictor of mortality in children with primary CIPO.

Ko D, et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2025 Jun;108(6):390-396. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2025.108.6.390

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked disorder caused by dystrophin gene mutations. Despite recent advances in understanding the disease etiology and applying emerging treatment methodologies, glucocorticoid derivatives remain the only general therapeutic option that can slow disease development. However, the precise molecular mechanism of glucocorticoid action remains unclear, and there is still need for additional remedies to complement the treatment. Here, using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome analyses of human and mouse muscles, we investigated pathogenic features in patients with DMD and palliative effects of glucocorticoids. Our approach further illuminated the importance of proliferating satellite cells and revealed increased activity of a signal transduction pathway involving EZH2 in the patient cells. Subsequent administration of EZH2 inhibitors to Dmd mutant mice resulted in improved muscle phenotype through maintaining the immune-suppressing effect but overriding the muscle weakness and fibrogenic effects exerted by glucocorticoids. Our analysis reveals pathogenic mechanisms that can be readily targeted by extant therapeutic options for DMD.

Jeong YC, et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2024 Jun;106(6):322-329. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2024.106.6.322