Perinatal asphyxia is an insult to fetus or newborn due to lack of oxygen or perfusion to various organs, especially to brain, resulting in the important complication known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. A clinical study was conducted on 30 newborns with perinatal asphyxia, who were admitted to Pediatric department of Ewha Women's University Hospital during 18 months period from Sep. 1990 to Feb. 1992. CPK, LDH and isoenzymes were measured in 30 asphyxated neonates and compared with control group. The results were as follows: 1) The serum CPK values at 1st and 7th day were not different in the asphyxia group and control group. 2) The serum CPK-BB and MB fraction at 1st day were highly significant in the asphyxia group. 3) The CSF CPK value at 1st day was highly significant in the asphyxia group. 4) The serum LDH values and the serum LDH isoenzyme 3 were highly significant in asphyxia group at 1st day. 5) The CSF LDH values and the CSF LDH isoenzyme 2 and 3 were highly significant in asphyxia group at 1st day. So, we concluded the serum CPK-BB fraction, the CSF CPK values, the serum LDH values, the serum LDH 2 fraction, the CSF LDH values and the CSF LDH 2,3 fraction as predictors of neurologic disability following perinatal asphyxia.
Asphyxia* ; Brain ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Infant, Newborn ; Isoenzymes ; Oxygen ; Perfusion

Vestibular compensation is a recovery process from vestibular symptoms over time after unilateral loss of peripheral vestibular end organs. The aim of the present study was to observe time-dependent changes in long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in the CA1 area of the hippocampus during vestibular compensation. The input-output (I/O) relationships of fEPSP amplitudes and LTP induced by theta burst stimulation to Schaffer's collateral commissural fibers were evaluated from the CA1 area of hippocampal slices at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). The I/O relationships of fEPSPs in the CA1 area was significantly reduced within 1 week post-op and then showed a non-significant reduction at 1 month after UL. Compared with sham-operated animals, there was a significant reduction of LTP induction in the hippocampus at 1 day and 1 week after UL. However, LTP induction levels in the CA1 area of the hippocampus also returned to those of sham-operated animals 1 month following UL. These data suggest that unilateral injury of the peripheral vestibular end organs results in a transient deficit in synaptic plasticity in the CA1 hippocampal area at acute stages of vestibular compensation.
Animals ; Compensation and Redress* ; Hippocampus* ; Long-Term Potentiation* ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Rats* ; Synapses*

Purpose: To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of transplanted amniotic membrane in patients who underwent permanent amniotic membrane transplantation (P-AMT) on cornea. Methods: From April 2014 to March 2021, medical records and digital photographs of 68 patients (72 eyes) who underwent P-AMT were analyzed retrospectively. The duration of complete re-epithelization of cornea and wearing therapeutic contact lense (T-lens) after surgery were investigated, the size of preserved amniotic membrane (AM) excluding the melted portion was analyzed using the Image J program every year up to 6 years after surgery, and it was compared by dividing into a single-layer group and a double-layer group. In addition, when the AM melts, the cause, time, and related factors of melting were analyzed. Results: The average duration to complete re-epithelialization after surgery was 12.2 ± 11.0 days, and T-lens were worn on average up to 8.7 ± 8.5 months after surgery. In total group, the average ratio of preserved AM annually up to 6 years after surgery was 94.9%, 94.3%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 95.8%, 91.6% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the single-layer group and the double-layer group. AM melting appeared in 38.9% (28 eyes) of the total group, and melting was first observed on average 16.4 ± 17.2 months after surgery. The formation and rupture of bullae was the most common cause of melting at 71.4% (20 eyes), and there were no statistically significant related factors involved in the formation of bullae. Conclusions In the case of P-AMT performed in various diseases of the cornea, the transplanted AM is partially melt but considered to be well preserved up to 6 years after surgery to form a stable ocular surface.

BACKGROUND: Although tinea unguium in children has been studied in the past, no specific etiological agents of onychomycosis in children has been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate onychomycosis in Korean children. METHODS: We reviewed fifty nine patients with onychomycosis in children (0~18 years of age) who presented during the ten-year period between 1999 and 2009. Etiological agents were identified by cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide. An isolated colony of yeasts was considered as pathogens if the same fungal element was identified at initial direct microscopy and in specimen-yielding cultures at a follow-up visit. RESULTS: Onychomycosis in children represented 2.3% of all onychomycosis. Of the 59 pediatric patients with onychomycosis, 66.1% had toenail onychomycosis with the rest (33.9%) having fingernail onychomycosis. The male-to-female ratio was 1.95:1. Fourteen (23.7%) children had concomitant tinea pedis infection, and tinea pedis or onychomycosis was also found in eight of the parents (13.6%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common (62.7%) clinical type. In toenails, Trichophyton rubrum was the most common etiological agent (51.3%), followed by Candida albicans (10.2%), C. parapsilosis (5.1%), C. tropicalis (2.6%), and C. guilliermondii (2.6%). In fingernails, C. albicans was the most common isolated pathogen (50.0%), followed by T. rubrum (10.0%), C. parapsilosis (10.0%), and C. glabrata (5.0%). CONCLUSION: Because of the increase in pediatric onychomycosis, we suggest the need for a careful mycological examination of children who are diagnosed with onychomycosis.
Agar ; Candida albicans ; Child ; Cycloheximide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Nails ; Onychomycosis ; Parents ; Tinea Pedis ; Trichophyton ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: Although tinea unguium in children has been studied in the past, no specific etiological agents of onychomycosis in children has been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate onychomycosis in Korean children. METHODS: We reviewed fifty nine patients with onychomycosis in children (0~18 years of age) who presented during the ten-year period between 1999 and 2009. Etiological agents were identified by cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide. An isolated colony of yeasts was considered as pathogens if the same fungal element was identified at initial direct microscopy and in specimen-yielding cultures at a follow-up visit. RESULTS: Onychomycosis in children represented 2.3% of all onychomycosis. Of the 59 pediatric patients with onychomycosis, 66.1% had toenail onychomycosis with the rest (33.9%) having fingernail onychomycosis. The male-to-female ratio was 1.95:1. Fourteen (23.7%) children had concomitant tinea pedis infection, and tinea pedis or onychomycosis was also found in eight of the parents (13.6%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common (62.7%) clinical type. In toenails, Trichophyton rubrum was the most common etiological agent (51.3%), followed by Candida albicans (10.2%), C. parapsilosis (5.1%), C. tropicalis (2.6%), and C. guilliermondii (2.6%). In fingernails, C. albicans was the most common isolated pathogen (50.0%), followed by T. rubrum (10.0%), C. parapsilosis (10.0%), and C. glabrata (5.0%). CONCLUSION: Because of the increase in pediatric onychomycosis, we suggest the need for a careful mycological examination of children who are diagnosed with onychomycosis.
Agar ; Candida albicans ; Child ; Cycloheximide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Nails ; Onychomycosis ; Parents ; Tinea Pedis ; Trichophyton ; Yeasts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the water extract of Samultang (SMT), a Chinese herb, on apoptotic cell death by H2O2-induced oxidative stress in SK-N-MC cells. A nuclear fragmentation was observed via fluorescence imaging 12 h after exposure to 30 micrometer H2O2 and DNA laddering was detected via agarose electrophoresis gel. In addition, increases in sub-G1 phase and cleavage of the PARP protein were observed. However, treatment with SMT for 2 h prior to H2O2 exposure significantly reduced apoptotic cell death induced by incubation with 30 micrometer H2O2 in SK-N-MC cells. Pre-incubation with water extract of SMT for 2 h prevented the H2O2-induced decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. SMT also attenuated the increase in caspase-3 activity and the breakdown of PARP protein caused by H2O2-induced oxidative stress. These results suggest that the water extract of SMT provides inhibition of apoptotic cell death against oxidative injury in SK-N-MC cells.
Apoptosis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; DNA ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Membrane Potentials ; Optical Imaging ; Oxidative Stress ; Sepharose ; Water

PURPOSE: We wanted to determine the correlation between the renal length as measured on two dimensional (2D) ultrasonography (US) and the renal parenchymal volume as measured with a new three-dimensional (3D) volume probe ultrasound system. We also wanted to determine the correlation between the renal length or renal parenchymal volume and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with glomerulopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2007 to December 2007, 26 patients who were pathologically confirmed to have glomerulopathy by biopsy were enrolled. Renal length was measured with 2D US and the renal parenchymal volume was measured with 3D US just prior to biopsy. The GFR was obtained from the electronic medical records. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlation between the renal length and the renal parenchymal volume, the correlation between the renal length and the GFR and the correlation between the renal parenchymal volume and the GFR. RESULTS: The renal length and the renal parenchymal volume showed strong positive correlation (r = 0.850, p = 0.0001). The correlation coefficient between the renal length and the GFR was 0.623 (p = 0.0007) and the correlation coefficient between the renal volume and the GFR was 0.590 (p = 0.0015). Both the renal length and renal parenchymal volume showed apparently positive correlations with the GFR in glomerulopathy patients. CONCLUSION: The renal length showed strong positive correlations with the renal parenchymal volume. Both the renal length and the renal parenchymal volume showed apparently positive correlations with the GFR in glomerulopathy patients. In glomerulopathy patients, the renal dimensions measured by ultrasound can reflect the status of the GFR, and the measurement of the 2D renal length could be sufficient for follow up. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of 3D US for assessing patients with renal disease.
Biopsy ; Electronic Health Records ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney

Hamartoma is a benign congenital tumor made of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues. It is a kind of developmental anomaly, in which the tissues are arranged with an excess growth of one or more of its components. Hamartoma is usually found in the lung, hypothalamus, and colon, but very rarely found in the head and neck areas. Symptoms are caused by the tumor tissue pressing against other tissues or organs. Surgical removal is the treatment modality of choice for hamartomas causing symptoms. The aplasia of unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare congenital anomaly. ICA aplasia can cause structural change of the middle ear space. A 5 year-old female patient was presented with large hamartoma in the middle ear and the aplasia of the ipsilateral ICA. The mass was successfully removed without any complications. Authors report this case with a brief literature review.

Solid pseudopapillary pancreatic neoplasms are rare. The male-to-female ratio is 1:9, and metastasis occurs only in a few cases. A 39-year-old male with a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) with lymph node metastasis underwent ultrasonography, CT, and MRI, which revealed a mass (8 cm) in the pancreatic head. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET showed a hypermetabolic lymph node in the root area of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The patient underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, which confirmed a peripancreatic lymph node metastasis. The lymph node of the SMA root area remained because of the encasing of the superior mesenteric artery. After 14 months of follow-up (with no adjuvant therapy initiated), the residual metastatic lymph nodes showed no change and no recurrence. In conclusion, surgery of the primary tumor for patients with SPN is recommended, even in cases with metastatic lymph nodes remaining.

Lymphoma is a malignant tumor arising from the lymphoid tissue. Chronic inflammation can make lymphocyte accumulation and proliferation in the mucous membrane. Sustained accumulation of these persistent changes in the lymphoid tissues may be responsible for the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Although multiple cranial nerve palsy have been reported in various lymphoma, it has never been reported in MALT lymphoma. A 39-year-old man reported of facial palsy and subsequent vocal fold palsy. MALT lymphoma was diagnosed as involving the parotid gland, nasopharynx, and the skull base. Vocal palsy and facial palsy were successfully recovered after chemotherapy.