BACKGROUND: CD99 is characteristically expressed in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroendocrine tumors and its immunoreactivity has also been reported in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. However, the normal distribution of CD99 reactive cells in gastrointestinal mucosa and their function are not fully understood. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical study using antibodies to CD99 and gastrin on formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue of the stomach. RESULTS: CD99 were strongly expressed in the gastric glands of neonate (3/3) and infant (1/1) cases but not detected in the fetal period (0/30). In adults, CD99 was observed in 36.8% (7/19). The number of CD99 positive cells were fewer in adult (3.48+/-6.43) than in neonate (5.66+/-0.58) and infant (11.33+/-2.21). CD99 was mostly located along the cytoplasmic membrane of glandular cells but cytoplasmic expression was also evident in neonate and infant cases. The G cells and CD99 expressed cells were reduced in the area showing intestinal metaplasia and atrophic change. As a result of the double stain, some of the G cells coexpress CD99 antigen, which were more in neonate (29%) than in adult (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The CD99 positive cells were found in the gastric pyloric antrum during the postnatal period and progressively reduced with age. This suggests the participation of CD99 protein in the differentiation and secretory process of neuroendocrine cells.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Formaldehyde ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Gastrin-Secreting Cells ; Gastrins ; Humans* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Metaplasia ; Mucous Membrane ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Paraffin ; Pyloric Antrum ; Secretory Pathway ; Stomach

PURPOSE: A large number of studies have demonstrated that bronchiolitis by RSV can develop into recurrent wheezing or asthma in infancy. The severity on first attack, atopic finding and evironmental factors can be a risk factors for this recurrent wheezing but not yet defined clearly. We studied to know the risk factors to cause recurrent wheezing after bronchiolitis by RSV. METHODS: Sixty three children who were hospitalized for bronchiolitis by RSV from June 1996 through May 1997 were followed-up. They were classified into recurrent group with wheezing of more than 3 times and no-recurrent group and compared. RESULTS: 1) The recurrent group was 46%(29 of 63 cases) and was higher in both male and whom first wheezing occured in less than 6 months of age. 2) On the first admission, the degree of respiratory distress was more severe in recurrent group. 3) On the first admission, serum ECP was more higher in the recurrent group. And during follow-up, frequency of increased serum IgE and positive skin test to D.p, D.f was higher in the recurrent group. 4) The household environment, personal history of patients and familial history of atopy did not affect on recurrence of wheezing. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that younger age of lesser than 6 month of age and severity of respiratory distress on the first admission and positive skin test to D.p, D.f and higher serum IgE during follow-up had significant association with recurrent wheezing.
Asthma ; Bronchiolitis* ; Child ; Family Characteristics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Male ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Risk Factors ; Skin Tests

Black-pigmented bacteria have been implicated in the endodontic infections. This group of microorganisms includes Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Prevotella nigrescens. The organisms display a wide variety of virulence factors that may be pertinent to acute endodontic infections. The aim of this study was to identify P. endodontalis, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and P. nigrescens by using special potency disk test, filter paper spot test, 16S rRNA gene-directed PCR, and API 32A. Microbial samples were collected from root canals of 33 intact teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis. Conventional laboratory methods were used for identification of the strains of black pigmented bacteria. Eighteen of 33 samples were positive for the growth of black-pigmented bacrteria. Five colonies were cultured from each pure cultured colonies from Brucella agar plate. Seventy seven colonies were positive for the growth of black-pigmented bacteria. Thirty three of 77(42.6%) were identifed as P. nigrescens, 10 of 77(12.9%) were P. gingivalis, 6 of 77(7.8%) were P. endodontalis, 10 of 77(12.9%) were P. intermedia. On the contrary the reference strains of P. nigrescens, experimental strains of P. nigrescens was sensitive to kanamycin in special potency disk test. 16S rRNA gene PCR and API test after rapid presumptative identification methods, such as special potency disk test and filter paper spot test, would be accurate detection methods for black-pigemented bacteria.
Agar ; Bacteria ; Brucella ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Genes, rRNA ; Kanamycin ; Periapical Periodontitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyromonas endodontalis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Prevotella intermedia ; Prevotella nigrescens ; Tooth ; Virulence Factors

PURPOSE: A large number of studies have demonstrated that rhinitis and asthma commonly occur together, and that a temporary relationship between the onset of rhinitis and asthma with rhinitis frequently preceding the development of asthma. We studied to know whether there were asthmatic airway inflammations in subjects with allergic rhinitis with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine who had no asthma symptoms. METHODS: Thirty seven children with an allergic rhinitis who visited the pediatric allergy clinic from January 1998 through June 1999 were enrolled. They were grouped into two groups according to the degree of airway responsiveness to methacholine, and 19 bronchial asthma patients with had no asthma attacks for 2 months were compared as control group.; AR-Mch (+) group (n=19) had a PC20-Methacholine lower than 10 mg/mL: AR-Mch (-) group (n=18) had a PC20-Metacholine greater than 10 mg/mL. The relationship of PEFR variability, sputum eosinophils, and nasal eosinophils with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in each groups was compared. RESULTS: 1) The PC20-Methacholine was 5.7+/-3.5 mg/mL in the AR-Mch (+) Group, 1.9+/-2.7 mg/mL in the BA Group. 2) Sputum eosinophil was 14+/-6.9% in the AR-Mch (+) Group, 8.1+/-5.2% in the AR-Mch (-) Group, 29.6+/-16.9% in the BA Group, and sputum eosinophils of the AR-Mch (+) Group was higher than that of the AR-Mch (-) Group. 3) PEFR dinural variation was 7.0+/-2.6% in the AR-Mch (+) Group, 5.0+/-2.9% in the AR-Mch (-) Group, 14.0+/-6.0% in the BA Group, and PEFR dinural variation in AR-Mch (+) Group was higher than that of the AR-Mch (-) Group. 4) The PC20-Methacholine was not correlated with PEFR dinural variation in both the AR-Mch (+) Group and the BA Group. 5) The PC20-Methacholine was correlated with sputum eosinophils only in the BA Group. 6) Nasal eosinophils were not correlated with sputum eosinophils in the AR-Mch (+) and the BA Group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that patients with allergic rhinitis who had bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine might have eosinophilic inflammation in the lower airway and increased dinural PEFR. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether asthma symptoms will be developed in these allergic rhinitis children.
Asthma ; Child* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Rhinitis* ; Sputum*

PURPOSE: There are no sufficient data on the correlation between inter-arm blood pressure (BP) difference and coronary atherosclerosis found using coronary artery calcium score (CACS). We aimed to investigate if the increased difference in inter-arm BP is independently associated with severity of CACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors or an intermediate Framingham Risk Score (FRS; ≥10) were enrolled. Inter-arm BP difference was defined as the absolute difference in BP in both arms. Quantitative CACS was measured by using coronary computed tomography angiography with the scoring system. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients were included in this study. Age (r=0.256, p<0.001), serum creatinine (r=0.139, p=0.030), mean of right arm systolic BP (SBP; r=0.172, p=0.005), mean of left arm SBP (r=0.190, p=0.002), inter-arm SBP difference (r=0.152, p=0.014), and the FRS (r=0.278, p<0.001) showed significant correlation with CACS. The increased inter-arm SBP difference (≥6 mm Hg) was significantly associated with CACS ≥300 [odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–4.22; p=0.022]. In multivariable analysis, the inter-arm SBP difference ≥6 mm Hg was also significantly associated with CACS ≥300 after adjusting for clinical risk factors (OR 2.34, 95 % CI 1.06–5.19; p=0.036). CONCLUSION: An increased inter-arm SBP difference (≥6 mm Hg) is associated with coronary atherosclerotic disease burden using CACS, and provides additional information for predicting severe coronary calcification, compared to models based on traditional risk factors.
Angiography ; Arm ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the common chief complaints in primary care setting. It causes disability in daily activity and lowers quality of life. This study was intended to investigate the information about fatigue useful in outpatient clinic. METHODS: The data was obtained from the Korean Health and Nutrition Survey 2001. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between self- reported fatigue and several factors including sociodemographic factors, life style factors, stress, depression, and worry about health. RESULTS: The prevalence of fatigue was low in unmarried status, more significantly in men when compared with those in married status. No significant association was found between fatigue and occupation, education level, monthly income, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The risk of fatigue in the exercising group more than 4 times per week was significantly low in women. The risk of fatigue in the group of sleeping duration less than 5 hours was significantly higher than the group of sleeping more than 9 hours. Compared with unemployed state, the daily working duration of more than 9 hours increased the risk for fatigue significantly. Stress perception, sadness or depression during the past 1 year and worry about health were strongly associated with fatigue. CONCLUSION: When evaluating and managing patients with fatigue, we should search for information about the patients' lifestyle such as exercise, daily work hours, sleeping as well as stress perception and depressive mood. Especially among the lifestyle, inquiring about regular exercise and promoting it may be important in order to manage patients with fatigue.
Alcohol Drinking ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Depression ; Education ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Quality of Life ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking

Purpose: The relationship between the timing of admission (work-hours or after-hours) to the intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality among surgical ICU (SICU) patients is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether admission to SICU during after-hours was associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary academic hospital. The data of 571 patients who were admitted to the SICU and whose complete medical records were available were analyzed. Work-hours were defined as 07:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, during which the ICU was staffed with intensivists. After-hours were defined as any other time during which the SICU was not staffed with intensivists. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality according to the time of admission (work-hours or after-hours) to the SICU. Results: A total of 333 patients, were admitted to the SICU during work-hours, and 238 patients after-hours. Unplanned admissions (47.1% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.001), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score ≥ 25 (23.9% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001), the need for ventilator support (34.0% vs. 17.4%, p < 0.001), and the use of vasopressors (50.0% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the after-hours group compared with the work-hours group. Multivariate analyses revealed that the timing of SICU admission was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 2.526; 95% confidence interval, 1.010–6.320; p = 0.048). Conclusion This study showed that admission to the SICU during after-hours was associated with increased in-hospital mortality.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between changes of corneal epithelium and subbasal nerves in non-Sjogren dry eye using in vivo confocal microscope (IVCM) and self-reported clinical symptoms. METHODS: The present study included 40 patients with dry eye and 18 healthy control subjects. The dry eye group underwent an evaluation of dry eye symptoms using visual analogue scale (VAS) score and was subdivided into 2 groups; score 0-5 as the low VAS score (LVS) group and score 6 - 10 as the high VAS score (HVS) group. The tear film break-up time, fluorescein staining, Schirmer test and microstructural imaging of epithelium, and subbasal nerve at cornea center with IVCM were performed on both eyes of each patient. Twenty-three normal eyes and 54 eyes of dry eye patients were included in the study. Cell densities and morphological characteristics were analyzed using ImageJ and NeuronJ softwares. RESULTS: Both LVS and HVS groups had decreased cell density of superficial, intermediate, and basal epithelium (p < 0.001). Intermediate epithelial cells were more decreased in the dry eye group with more severe symptoms (p < 0.0001). Subbasal nerve density (p < 0.005) was more decreased and nerve beadings, tortuosity, and reflectivity increased in the HVS group than both LVS and control groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The alterations of corneal cellular level in dry eye patients visualized using IVCM are correlated with pathology and clinical symptoms and may be useful objective criteria in diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.
Cell Count ; Cornea ; Diagnosis ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal* ; Pathology ; Tears ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with paraquat poisoning by measuring the extent of lunginvolvement, as seen on HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with paraquat poisoning were treatedaccording to our hospital's routine protocol and underwent HRCT scanning 1-21(mean 7-8) days later. In 31, theresults were abnormal, and these were retrospectively analysed. Differences in the extent of lung involvement,patient age, ingested amount of paraquat, and blood WBC count were compared between the group of survivors andthose who had died. RESULTS: Among the 31 patients with abnormal HRCT findings, 11 died and 20 patients survived.The extent of lung involvement among the group of survivors was 14.8+/-14.8%; among the deceased group, it was72.3+/-16.3%. The age of the survivors was 37.5+/-13.5(11-67) years, while that of the deceased was25+/-8.9(16-41)years. Those who died showed a significantly higher extent of lung involvement than the survivors,and were younger (p<0.05). There was, however, no significant difference in blood WBC count and ingested amount ofparaquat between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In paraquat poisoning, the extent of lung involvement onHRCT, is useful for prediction of the prognosis and severity of poisoning.
Humans ; Lung* ; Paraquat* ; Poisoning* ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

Three dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship between diazabicyclo[4.2.0]octanes and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (h alpha4beta2 and h alpha3beta4) agonists was studied using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). From 11 CoMFA and CoMSIA models, CoMSIA with steric and electrostatic fields gave the best predictive models (q2=0.926 and 0.945, r2(ncv)=0.983 and 0.988). This study can be used to develop potent h alpha4beta2 receptor agonists with low activity on h alpha3beta4 subtype.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Receptors, Nicotinic