No abstract available.
Agaricales* ; Morus*

No abstract available.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Peripartum Period*

The authors present the one case of a 22-year-old man admitted with intermittent quadriparesis and respiratory difficulty. On investigation, atlantoaxial instability and upper cervical cord compression due to abnormal soft tissue were revealed. We have performed transoral decompression and biopsy, and then posterior transarticular facet screw fixation with interspinous wiring and fusion. We could obtain immediate and long-term postoperative stability with Philadelphia collar only. The pathologic examination reveald connective soft tissue hypertrophy due to chronic mechanical irritation.
Biopsy ; Decompression* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Quadriplegia ; Young Adult

Although ascending aortic aneurysm is a uncommon disease, it has fatal complications such as aortic rupture, dissection, or death. So, experts recommend a preemptive aortic operation. A 77-year-old man with hypertension visited for slow progressive exertional dyspnea and general weakness. Chest X-ray showed deviation of trachea to right, mediastinal widening, cardiomegaly, and bulging of right heart border to right. Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) showed marked dilated ascending aorta with wall calcification associated with severe aortic regurgitation and pericardial effusion. Measured diameter of ascending aorta was 12 x 11 cm on Chest Computed Tomography (CT) scan, 8.35 cm on TTE, and 10.2 cm on TEE. Our exam found out the obstructive pneumonia and aortic regurgitation as consequences of complications of huge aneurysm. We report a case of huge ascending aortic aneurysm without any previous aortic operation, aortic complications, trauma, or other etiologic factors.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm* ; Aortic Rupture ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Cardiomegaly ; Dyspnea ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Thorax ; Trachea

Family, twin, and adoption studies have demonstrated that genes play an important role in the development of alcoholism. We investigated the association between alcoholism and the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) receptor genes on chromosome 5q33-34 in Korean population. The genotype of the GABA(A) receptor gene polymorphisms were determined by performing polymerase chain reaction genotyping for 172 normal controls and 162 male alcoholics who are hospitalized in alcoholism treatment institute. We found a significant association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) alpha1 and GABA(A) alpha6 receptor gene and alcoholism. The GG genotype of the GABA(A) alpha1 receptor gene was associated with the onset age of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and a high score on the Korean version of the ADS. However, there was no association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) beta2 and gamma2 receptor gene and alcoholisms. Our finding suggest that genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) alpha1 and GABA(A) alpha6 receptor gene may be associated with the development of alcoholism and that the GG genotype of the GABA(A) alpha1 receptor gene play an important role in the development of the early onset and the severe type of alcoholism.
Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Receptors, GABA-A/*genetics ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Models, Statistical ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; DNA/metabolism ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 ; Alcoholism/*genetics ; Age of Onset ; Adult

Crohn's disease (CD) may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Approximately >90% of cases occur in the small bowel and colon. Upper gastrointestinal involvement, especially duodenal manifestation, is relatively rare. Therefore, adequate medical treatment for duodenal CD has not yet been established. We report a case of CD with duodenal involvement. A 46-year-old man with Crohn's ileocolitis presented to our hospital with right upper quadrant pain. An endoscopy showed a deep excavated ulcer with deformity at the duodenal bulb, and he was initially treated with azathioprine (1 mg/kg), Pentasa (3.0 g/day), and a proton pump inhibitor for 1 year. However, the deep ulcer did not heal. Therefore, infliximab infusion therapy was initiated, and the duodenal lesion completely resolved on follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We report a case of duodenal CD that completely resolved following infliximab infusion, with a review of the literature.
Anal Canal ; Azathioprine ; Colon ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Crohn Disease* ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Mesalamine ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Proton Pumps ; Ulcer

Although enhanced appetite and weight gain are potential side effects of treatment with antipsychotic agents, particularly olanzapine and clozapine, the mechanisms underlying these side effects are poorly understood. Leptin and ghrelin were recently identified as hormones that play crucial roles in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism. To elucidate relationships between weight change and plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin, we investigated the circulating ghrelin and leptin levels and body weight during olanzapine treatment. Twenty-four patients with schizophrenia were examined during 6-month administration of olanzapine. Ghrelin, leptin, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks of olanzapine treatment. The concentration of glucose and various lipid metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and at 24 weeks. Significant increases in weight, BMI and leptin were observed at week 24. On the other hand, the serum levels of ghrelin decreased significantly after olanzapine treatment. In addition, the level of ghrelin was negatively correlated with the leptin level, BMI and weight. The leptin level was positively correlated with both BMI and weight. Ghrelin is associated with metabolic changes, in combination with leptin, during olanzapine treatment. However, further large-scale and longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the metabolic changes involving ghrelin, leptin and insulin during treatment with antipsychotics.
Antipsychotic Agents/*adverse effects ; Benzodiazepines/*adverse effects ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight/*drug effects ; Ghrelin/*blood ; Humans ; Leptin/*blood ; Male ; Schizophrenia/blood/*drug therapy

PURPOSE: The adult tetanus, reduced diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine has been introduced in order to provide individual protection and reduce the risk of transmitting pertussis to infants. We assessed the knowledge and acceptability of the Tdap vaccine around pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of women of childbearing age (20-45 years) who visited obstetrics and gynecologic units of primary, secondary, or tertiary hospitals. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire assessing their knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of Tdap. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 308 women; 293 (95.1%) had not received information from doctors about Tdap, and 250 (81.2%) did not know about the need for vaccination. A significantly important factor related to subjects' intention to be vaccinated, identified by stepwise multiple logistic regression, was the knowledge (OR 13.5, CI 3.92-46.33) that adult Tdap is effective in preventing pertussis for infants aged 0-6 months. Additionally, 276 (89.6%) considered the recommendation of obstetric doctors as the most influencing factor about Tdap vaccination. CONCLUSION: In Korea, most women of childbearing age seem to be neither recommended nor adequately informed about the vaccination, although our population was not a nationwide representative sample. Information given by healthcare workers may be critical for improving awareness and preventing pertussis.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diphtheria ; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/*ethnology ; Humans ; Immunization/*statistics & numerical data ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/*ethnology/statistics & numerical data ; Pregnancy ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tetanus ; Vaccination ; Whooping Cough/diagnosis/ethnology

We evaluated the results of sequential SPECT dual-isotope imaging with Tl-201 and Tc-99m MIBI in 24 patients, all of whom also had coronary angiography within the past one month. Coronary angiography showed that 12 patients had no CAD, 4 patients had one-vessel CAD, 7 patients had two-vessel CAD and 1 patient had three-vessel CAD. Serial studies of resting Tl-201 and dipyridamole stress Tc-99m MIBI were completed within 2 hours. When more then 50% of coronary artery narrowing was considered significant. The overall sensitivity and specification of CAD detection were 91.7%. The sensitivity of CAD detection in patients with one-vessel and multi-vessel diseases was 75% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, sequential dual-isotope SPECT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of CAD detection. In conclusion, sequential dual-isotope imaging is feasible and can be completed in a short time and may therefore enhance laboratory throughput and patient convenience.
Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to investigate the women's perspective on influenza infection and vaccination and to evaluate how they influence vaccine acceptability, in Korean women of childbearing age. METHODS: This was a prospective study by random survey of women of childbearing age (20 to 45 years). They were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their knowledge, attitudes and acceptability of influenza vaccination before and during pregnancy. This study utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2008 and 2012, to analyze the recent influenza vaccination trends. RESULTS: According to KNHANES (2008-2012), influenza vaccination rates in women of childbearing age have increased up to 26.4%, after 2009. The questionnaire was completed by 308 women. Vaccination rate during pregnancy or planning a pregnancy was 38.6%. The immunization rate increased significantly with the mean number of correct answers (P<0.001). Women who received influenza vaccination were more likely to be previously informed of the recommendations concerning the influenza vaccination before or during pregnancy, received the influenza vaccination in the past, and of the opinion that influenza vaccination is not dangerous during pregnancy, with odds ratios of 14.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.44 to 33.33; P<0.0001), 3.6 (95% CI, 1.84 to 6.97; P=0.0002) and 2.7 (95% CI, 1.34 to 5.47; P=0.0057). CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination rate in women of childbearing age has increased in this study and national data. More information and recommendation by healthcare workers, especially obstetricians, including safety of vaccination, might be critical for improving vaccination rate in women of childbearing age.
Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vaccination*