To achieve optimal decalcification in tissue and tissue preservation, we have tried magnetic field method and made some promising results. We used pulsed unipolar magnetic field obtained by rectification of 250 V-60 cycle, A.C. As a new method of bony decalcification, using 5% nitric acid, 10% formic acid and 10% formic acid+3% hydrochloric acid solutions, experimental groups were decalcified in the center of the magnetic field. The concentration of calcium ion in the decalcifying solution was measured by calcium-oxalate turbidity test by photometry method, and direct visualization of calcium radiopacity was obtained by soft X-ray view during the decalcification process. The pH change during decalcification was continuously checked and needle penetration method was also used. All the decalcification solution used in this study showed accelerated effect of bony decalcification in the strong magnetic field. Among them 5% nitric acid produced complete decalcification for the medium size bony specimen (less than 10x10x10 mm) within 24 hours, and the histologic feature was almost free of acid-chemical degeneration. The pH of all the decalcification solutions decreased in the strong magnetic field, maximum within 4~6 hours, and kept strong acidity throughout the decalcification procedure. After removal of the magnetic field the pH of all the decalcification solution returned to their original values after 24 hours. It was presumed that the cause of the accelerated decalcification in the magnetic field was due to combined effects of the rapid increase of acidity and the increased molecular resonance to stimulate the ionization of mineral elements.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is the one of the major risk factors causing the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Treatment of hyperlipidemia with drugs has been confirmed the effects of therapy showing a decreased incidence of coronary artery disease. Simvastatin is a new drug of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and the short-term hypolipidemic effects and safety of simvastatin is evaluated in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We studied 63 patients (39 males and 24 females, mean age 58) for 12 weeks whose plasma levels of total cholesterol were higher than 240 mg/dL or higher than 220 mg/dL with ischemic heart disease. Simvastatin was administered 20 mg/day and measured lipid profile at 12 week interval. RESULT: 1)Simvastatin significantly reduced the level of the plasma total cholesterol(-29.3%), LDL- cholesterol(-36.9%) and triglyceride(-13%)(p<0.05) but the level of HDL-cholesterol was not changed after 12 weeks simvastatin therapy. 2)the clinical symptoms and laboratory examination before and after simvastatin treatment showed no particular abnormal findings in short term follow up. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that short-term simvastatin therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia seeems to be very effective and safe.
Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Simvastatin

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is the one of the major risk factors causing the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Treatment of hyperlipidemia with drugs has been confirmed the effects of therapy showing a decreased incidence of coronary artery disease. Simvastatin is a new drug of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and the short-term hypolipidemic effects and safety of simvastatin is evaluated in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We studied 63 patients (39 males and 24 females, mean age 58) for 12 weeks whose plasma levels of total cholesterol were higher than 240 mg/dL or higher than 220 mg/dL with ischemic heart disease. Simvastatin was administered 20 mg/day and measured lipid profile at 12 week interval. RESULT: 1)Simvastatin significantly reduced the level of the plasma total cholesterol(-29.3%), LDL- cholesterol(-36.9%) and triglyceride(-13%)(p<0.05) but the level of HDL-cholesterol was not changed after 12 weeks simvastatin therapy. 2)the clinical symptoms and laboratory examination before and after simvastatin treatment showed no particular abnormal findings in short term follow up. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that short-term simvastatin therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia seeems to be very effective and safe.
Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Simvastatin

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported to be the most common pathogen causing pyogenic liver abscess. K. pneumoniae liver abscess occurs fairly often in patients with diabetes mellitus, and is commonly associated with metastatic infections such as brain abscess, endophthalmitis, lung abscess, osteomyelitis, prostatitis, necrotizing fasciitis and infection in other sites. Although septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) is uncommon, it is a serious metastatic complication of K. pneumoniae liver abscess. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans are crucial in making the early diagnosis of SPE; however, it does not provide the basis for a definitive diagnosis. A 70-year-old man was referred to the Department of Pulmonology due to cough and an abnormal chest radiography. The chest CT scans revealed relatively well-demarcated, round multiple nodules with peripheral preponderance, cavitary mass in the right upper lobe of the lung and low-density hepatic cystic masses. Bronchoscopic examination and percutaneous needle aspiration of the lung were performed, but there was no evidence of malignancy. Finally, K. pneumoniae was grown from a bronchial washing specimen and blood culture. Intravenous carbapenem was administered over a 3-week period and follow-up CT scans showed improvement in both the lung and the liver. We report a case of K. pneumoniae liver abscess complicated with SPE requiring differential diagnosis of hematogenous metastatic malignancy on CT scans in an elderly patient.
Aged ; Brain Abscess ; Cough ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Endophthalmitis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Needles ; Osteomyelitis ; Pneumonia ; Prostatitis ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Radiography ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic leaded to inevitable expeditious vaccine rollout without sufficient safety profile. Especially, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection has known to induce overreacted immune responses such as releasing of proteinase-3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by neutrophil. This overreacted immune response leads to the concern of the development of autoimmune diseases after COVID-19 vaccination. We report the case of de novo MPO-associated systemic vasculitis involving central nervous system following heterogeneous mRNA1273 COVID-19 booster vaccination.

We conducted five times surveys, in June, September and October in 2012; June and September 2013, to catalog the mushroom flora in Ulleung-gun, Republic of Korea. More than 400 specimens were collected, and 317 of the specimens were successfully sequenced using the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer barcode marker. We also surveyed the morphological characteristics of the sequenced specimens. The specimens were classified into 2 phyla, 7 classes, 21 orders, 59 families, 122 genera, and 221 species, and were deposited in the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. Among the collected species, 72% were saprophytic, 25% were symbiotic, and 3% were parasitic. The most common order was Agaricales (189 specimens, 132 species), followed by Polyporales (47 specimens, 27 species), Russulales (31 specimens, 22 species), Boletales (10 specimens, 7 species), and so on. Herein, we also reported the first Bovista species in Korea, which was collected from Dokdo, the far-eastern island of Korea.
Agaricales* ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Korea ; Polyporales ; Republic of Korea*

Exposure of cells to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation can induce production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components. In addition, these agents can stimulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and decrease collagen synthesis in human skin cells. In this study, we examined the anti-photoaging effects of extracts of Tetraselmis suecica (W-TS). W-TS showed the strongest scavenging activity against 2,2-difenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxyl radicals, followed by superoxide anions from the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. We observed that the levels of both intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation significantly increased in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblast cells. Furthermore, the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., superoxide dismutase) and the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., glutathione) significantly decreased in cells. However, W-TS pretreatment, at the maximum tested concentration, significantly decreased intracellular ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels in the cells. At this same concentration, W-TS did not show cytotoxicity. Type 1 procollagen and MMP-1 released were quantified using RT-PCR techniques. The results showed that W-TS protected type 1 procollagen against UVB-induced depletion in fibroblast cells in a dose-dependent manner via inhibition of UVB-induced MMP-1. Taken together, the results of the study suggest that W-TS effectively inhibits UVB-induced photoaging in skin fibroblasts by its strong anti-oxidant ability.
Antioxidants ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidoreductases ; Procollagen ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Skin ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides

Ampullary adenoma is a benign neoplasm with malignant potential that arises from the glandular epithelium of the ampulla of Vater. When the tumor is confined to the ampulla, abdominal sonogram and CT scan can show dilatation of the common bile duct or pancreatic duct, but the mass itself may not be seen. And even biopsies are done, the confirmation of malignant change is frequently missed, and it may be impossible to assess the presence of carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma without complete exicision of the lesion. So complete surgical resection is recommended because of extensive growth of the ampullary adenoma and its malignant potential. Recently, we experienced a case of about 0.8 x 1.0 cm sized tumor of the ampulla of Vater that was diagnosed as villous adenoma on endoscopic biopsy, and malignant change was found on resected surgical specimen.
Adenoma ; Adenoma, Villous* ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Epithelium ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the experience of teaching emergency management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to medical students in Busan. METHODS: Study participants were 59 medical students in Busan. An eight-day curriculum in the emergency management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was developed. They completed all class sessions and two drill/practical examinations taught by our interdisciplinary team from July 21 through 30, 2003. Each class is approximately 2 hours and reading assignments are given at the end of each class. Also included are practical, table-top and team-building exercises. The participants completed self-reported questionnaires for the education. RESULTS: About establishment and environment of the education, respondents answered with `very good' were 14%. About overall theoretical lecture, respondents answered with `very helpful' were lower than 40%. Especially, favorable evaluation for the medical lectures was lower than that of other lectures. Students generally enjoyed their emergency medicine experience as it is often their first opportunity to assume primary responsibility for patient care. About overall practices, respondents answered with 'very helpful' were higher than 60%. CONCLUSION: The authors found that medical students prefer opportunities to hone procedural skills than to hear theoretical lectures. Also, medical students are welcome to hear theoretical lectures that consists of emergency management related contents, not academically medical contents. This curriculum should be tailored to fulfill learner's requirements.
Busan* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Curriculum ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine ; Exercise ; Humans ; Lectures ; Patient Care ; Students, Medical*

PURPOSE: Splenic flexure mobilization in an anterior resection is a subject of controversy, but a tension-free anastomosis is needed in case of a low anterior resection or a coloanal anastomosis. Classical splenic flexure mobilization by means of the lesser sac opening is technically difficult in the laparoscopic era. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records and operation videos of 16 patients who underwent laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization in Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea by using a medial approach. The operation procedure is as follows: Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the Trendelenburg position, after making pneumoperitoneum, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) were ligated and divided. A medial-to-lateral mesocolon dissection was done, and the pancreas was dissected from the mesocolon of the transverse colon; then, the greater omentum was dissected. RESULTS: The mean age was 60 years old, and the male- to-female sex ratio was 9:7. The mean operation time was 293 minutes. The mean distal margin was 5.3 cm, and the mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 15. An anterior resection was done in 2 cases, a low anterior resection is 10 cases, and a coloanal anastomosis in 4 cases. The mean time from ligation of the IMA to splenic flexure mobilization was 45 minutes. There was no mortality or morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic medial splenic flexure mobilization is a technically feasible and safe method.
Anesthesia, General ; Colon, Transverse* ; Head-Down Tilt ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Mesenteric Veins ; Mesocolon ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Omentum ; Pancreas ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio