PURPOSE: VEGF, a potent angiogenic factor, increases vascular permeability and induces the fluid accumulation in the peritoneal and pleural cavities. This study is designed to know whether the VEGF concentration are associated with the formation of cystic fluid of thyroid nodules and the results of treatment. METHODS: To know whether thyroid follicular cells produce VEGF, we measured the VEGF concentration in the conditioned medium after primary culture of the normal thyroid follicular cells (NT 1.0). Thirty seven patients, who had visited Ajou University Medical Center, were divided into two groups; group A (n=19) is patients whose cystic nodules disappeared completely with 1 or 2 times fine needle aspirations. In Group B (n=18), the cystic nodules recurred rapidly and required aspiration more than 3 times. Clinical records of patients were analyzed and compared with TSH and VEGF levels in cystic fluids. RESULTS: The VEGF concentration in basal conditioned medium were 8.2±1.2 ng/ml in NT 1.0 and 8.2±0.6 ng/ml in thyroid cancer cell line (FTC-133). NT 1.0 was not affected by TSH stimulation. Mean concentration of TSH of all cystic fluids was 4.36µIU/ml (0.13~21.7) and there was no difference between 2 groups. Mean concentration of VEGF of all cystic fluids was 140.7 ng/ml (11.1~688.8). The VEGF concentration (287.9±289.6 ng/ml) in group B was significantly higher than that (104.2±97.1 ng/ml) in group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that thyroid follicular cells produce and secrete VEGF, and VEGF is related with the accumulation of cystic fluid in degenerative cysts of thyroid. Cysts with high VEGF concentration promote rapid reaccumulation of the cystic fluid and possibly necessitate operation in selected patients.

Placenta increta is rare, but life-threatening complication of pregnancy characterized by invasion of placenta villi into the underlying myometrium. Placenta increta is usually diagnosed in the third trimester and is associated with significant blood loss and uterine perforation or rupture as well as an increased risk of infection. It also has been described as a complication of selective pregnancy termination and spontaneous pregnancy loss in the second trimester and rarely in the first trimester. We report a case of placenta increta which was presented as uterine mass after dilatation and curettage (D and C) due to missed abortion in the first trimester.
Abortion, Missed ; Animals ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Myometrium ; Placenta Accreta* ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First* ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Rupture ; Uterine Perforation

PURPOSE: Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is characterized by prolonged fever and radiological progression despite macrolide treatment. Few studies have examined serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in children with MPP. We aimed to investigate the association of acute inflammation markers including PCT with clinical parameters in children with MPP. METHODS: A total of 147 children were recruited. The diagnosis of MPP relied on serial measurement of IgM antibody against mycoplasma and/or polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP), PCT, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts, and clinical severity of the disease. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratio for prolonged fever (>3 days after admission) and hospital stay (> 6 days), comparing quintiles 2–5 of the PCT levels with the lowest quintile. RESULTS: The serum PCT and CRP levels were higher in children with fever and hospital stay than in those with fever lasting ≤ 3 days after admission and hospital stay ≤ 6 days. CRP level was higher in segmental/lobar pneumonia than in bronchopneumonia. The LDH level and WBC counts were higher in children with fever lasting for >3 days before compared to those with fever lasting for ≤ 3 days. The highest quintile of PCT levels was associated with a significantly higher risk of prolonged fever and/or hospital stay than the lowest quintile. CONCLUSION: Serum PCT and CRP levels on admission day were associated with persistent fever and longer hospitalization in children with MPP.
Bronchopneumonia ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Resistance ; Fever* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Inflammation ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Length of Stay ; Leukocytes ; Logistic Models ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Mycoplasma* ; Odds Ratio ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors*

OBJECTIVES: Pathogenic Vibrio species are widely distributed in warm estuarine and coastal environments, and can infect humans through the consumption of raw or mishandled contaminated seafood and seawater. For this reason, the distribution of these bacteria in South Korea was investigated.METHODS: Seawater samples were collected from 145 coastal area points in the aquatic environment in which Vibrio species live. Environmental data (i.e., water temperature, salinity, turbidity, and atmospheric temperature) was collected which may help predict the distribution of the species (data not shown). Seawater samples were filtered, and incubated overnight in alkaline peptone water, at 37°C. Using species-specific polymerase chain reaction methods, screening tests were performed for the hlyA, ctxA, vvhA, and tlh genes. Clones of pathogenic Vibrio species were isolated using 3 selective plating media.RESULTS: In 2017, total seawater isolation rates for Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae (non-pathogenic, non-O1, non-O139 serogroups), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were 15.82%, 13.18%, 65.80%, respectively. However, in 2018 isolation rates for each were 21.81%, 19.40%, and 70.05%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The isolation rates of pathogenic Vibrio species positively correlated with the temperature of seawater and atmosphere, but negatively correlated with salinity and turbidity. From 2017 to 2018, the most frequent seawater-isolated Vibrio species were V. parahaemolyticus (68.10 %), V. vulnificus (16.54%), and non-toxigenic V. cholerae (19.58%). Comprehensive monitoring, prevention, and control efforts are needed to protect the public from pathogenic Vibrio species.
Atmosphere ; Bacteria ; Cholera ; Clone Cells ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Peptones ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salinity ; Seafood ; Seawater ; Vibrio cholerae ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus ; Vibrio vulnificus ; Vibrio ; Water

PURPOSE: Serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25[OH] D) and interleukin-31 (IL-31) are related to atopic dermatitis, but their relationship with allergic rhinitis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of serum IL-31 and 25 (OH) D between the allergic rhinitis (AR), nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), and control groups and to investigate the relationship between IL-31 and 25 (OH) D. METHODS: We recruited 59 children with only rhinitis and 33 controls without any allergic diseases. Serum IL-31 and 25(OH) D levels were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The patients were considered to have atopic sensitization if the levels of serum specific IgE to inhalant allergens as assessed using immunoCAP were ≥0.35 IU/mL or if they tested positive for one or more allergens by the skin prick test. RESULTS: Of children with rhinitis, 25 had nonatopy (NAR), and 34 children had atopy (AR). Serum 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in the rhinitis group than in the control group, while there was no significant difference serum 25(OH) D levels between the AR and NAR groups. Children with rhinitis demonstrated higher serum IL-31 levels than controls; however, there was no difference in serum IL-31 levels between the AR and NAR groups. Serum 25(OH) D levels were inversely correlated with serum IL-31 levels and blood eosinophil counts. On the other hand, serum 25(OH) D levels were not correlated with total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH) D and IL-31 may play a role in the pathogenesis of rhinitis via mechanisms other than IgE-related pathway.
Allergens ; Child ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Skin ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Background: This study aimed to examine the occupational stress and quality of life of mental health welfare center workers and to identify the impact of occupational stress on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Methods: This study included 588 employees working at 15 provincial/municipal/regional mental health welfare centers. Demographic and psychosocial factors were surveyed. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The high-risk group for occupational stress showed low compassion satisfaction, high burnout, and high secondary traumatic stress. Compassion satisfaction showed a significant negative correlation with occupational stress. Burnout and secondary traumatic stress showed a significant positive correlation with occupational stress.Occupational stress factors affecting compassion satisfaction included lack of reward (β=−0.155, p<0.001), whereas those affecting burnout included physical environment (β=0.028, p<0.01), job demand (β=0.042, p<0.001), relationship conflict (β=0.033, p<0.01), job instability (β=0.016, p<0.01), lack of reward (β=0.051, p<0.001), and occupational climate (β=0.024, p<0.01). Additionally, occupational stress factors affecting secondary traumatic stress included physical environment (β=0.063, p<0.001) and job instability (β=0.020, p<0.05). Conclusion Occupational stress had a significant impact on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Therefore, active interventions against occupational stress factors are necessary to improve the quality of life of mental health welfare center workers.

PURPOSE: We investigated the menstrual features of adolescent school girls to know the characteristics of menarche and dysfunctional uterine bleeding in adolescents. METHODS: In March, 2001, 1,434 primary and middle school girls(10-15 years of age) in Ansan City were investigated for the menacheal age and several aspects of menstruation through questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age of the total subjects were 13.0+/-1.2 years of age, and 68.4% of them experienced menarche. 32.2% experienced menarche after age 12, but 82.9% experienced it after age 13. Mixed type(regular and irregular) menstrual cycle was the most common(35.3%), and changing type(irregular to regular) was 27.6%. In changing type, the mean duration of cycle stabilization was 6.6+/-4.9 months. The most common menstrual cycle was 'within 26-30 days'(31.4%). Abnormal cycles such as 'equal or less than 20 days' and 'equal or more than 41 days' were 17.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The most common menstrual duration was '5-6 days'(44.7%). 7.6% of the subjects experienced short or long menstrual duration. Among the subjects, only 4.0% visited the hospital with menstrual problems. The visiting reasons were 'irregular menstrual cycles'(38.5%), 'dysmenorrhea'(28.2%), 'menorrhagia'(12.8%), and 'hypermenorrhea'(28.2%). CONCLUSION: Most adolescent girls in our study experienced menarche until 13 years of age and some of them got early menarche at the age of 9. Many of them had irregular or unstable menstrual cycles after menarche at any age, but only few of them visited a health care provider. We suggest the careful attention of pediatricians, parents and teachers to the early detection and proper treatment of menstrual problems in adolescent girls.
Adolescent* ; Female ; Female* ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Menarche* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Metrorrhagia* ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Human listeriosis is a relatively rare but serious disease with mortality rate 20~40%. Listeria monocytogenes affects patients with decreased cell mediated immunity such as the elderly, transplant recipients, cancer patients, renal failure, diabetes, HIV, pregnant women and unborn child, neonate. We experienced a case of listeriosis in twin pregnant woman at 35th weeks without preterm labor. The pregnant woman present sepsis with fever at first time. Sepsis progress to MODS (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome) and combined endocarditis. We reported it with brief of literatures.
Aged ; Child ; Endocarditis ; Female ; Fever ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Infant, Newborn ; Listeria ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Listeriosis ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Pregnant Women ; Renal Insufficiency ; Sepsis

OBJECTIVE: There are some evidences that some epithelial ovarian cancer cells respond to hormonal therapy. And in vitro studies have revealed that treatment of various human cancer cell lines with selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors induces apoptotic cell death. The goal of this article is to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen and celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on the ovarian cancer cells and the benefits of combining these agents in the management of ovarian cancer. METHODS: SK-OV-3 epithelial ovarian cancer cells were exposed to increasing concentration of tamoxifen (10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M, 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M) and celecoxib (10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M, 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M) as well as a combination of both drugs. The activity of apoptosis was evaluated by the morphologic examination and the MTT assay. The pattern of apoptosis was also assessed by the caspase-3 activity and the fraction of cleaved PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) protein. RESULTS: Single application of both drugs could significantly increase the rate of apoptosis after 24 h of continuous exposure. Concomitant treatment of SK-OV-3 cells with tamoxifen and celecoxib induced significant increase in apoptosis, comparing with single drug exposure. The pattern of apoptosis induced by these agents on SK-OV-3 cells seemed to be caspase-3 dependent. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that combining tamoxifen with selective COX-2 inhibitor seems to have at least an additive tumoricidal effect. A more definitive role for this combination therapy in clinical settings in ovarian cancer will need to be defined through the conduct of clinical trials.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Tamoxifen* ; Celecoxib

OBJECTIVE: In vitro studies have revealed that treatment of various human cancer cell lines with specific cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors induces apoptotic cell death. The goal of this article is to investigate the benefits of combining COX-2 inhibitors with existing treatment modalities in the management of ovarian cancer. METHODS: In this study we sought to determine the effects of combining paclitaxel and the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. SK-OV-3 cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of paclitaxel (10(-7) M, 10(-6) M and 10(-5) M) and celecoxib (10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M, 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M) as well as a combination of both drugs. The activity of apoptosis was evaluated by the morphologic examination and the MTT assay. The pattern of apoptosis was also assessed by the caspase-3 activity and the fraction of cleaved PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) protein. RESULTS: Single application of both drugs could significantly increase the rate of apoptosis after 24 hours of continuous exposure. But concomitant treatment of SK-OV-3 EOC cell line with paclitaxel and celecoxib resulted in marked impairment of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. The pattern of apoptosis induced by paclitaxel on SK-OV-3 EOC cell line was caspase-3 independent. CONCLUSION: Combining COX-2 inhibitors and paclitaxel does not have an additive or synergistic tumoricidal effect. On the contrary, celecoxib treatment markedly inhibited the apoptotic effects of paclitaxel in SK-OV-3 EOC cell line.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose ; Apoptosis* ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Paclitaxel ; Celecoxib