BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the evolution of drug-resistant microorganisms has become a serious problem in CAP management. Specific antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of CAP management. However, obtaining an accurate etiologic diagnosis clinically is not easy and empirical antimicrobial treatment is usually administered prior to the correct microbiologic diagnosis. In this study, the clinical usefulness of empirical CAP treatment was investigated. METHODS: A total 35 cases were studied prospectively over a 16-month period in Mokpo Catholic Hospital from Dec. 1995 to Mar. 1997. The microbiologic diagnosis was made by sputum, blood culture, a specific serum antibody test and an immunologic study. RESULTS: The causative organisms were isolated in 10 (30%) out of 33 cases: 8 cases and 1 case on the sputum culture and blood culture respectively, and 1 case by an indirect hemagglutinin test. 12 cases had underlying diseases: pulmonary tuberculosis 4, alcoholism 4, diabetes mellitus 3, and liver cirrhosis 1. Antimicrobial treatment was given empirically and all cases recovered. CONCLUSION: A definite microbiologic diagnosis before commencing the appropriate treatment in CAP is not straightforward. Empirical therapy according to a clinical assessment is important and helpful. However, every effort to make the correct etiologic diagnosis should be taken.
Alcoholism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Hemagglutinins ; Jeollanam-do* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Prospective Studies ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

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*

During a Korean mushroom diversity survey from 2011 to 2014, we found one new Xylaria species (X. ripicola sp. nov.) and one Xylaria species that had not been previously observed in Korea (X. tentaculata). To confirm the phylogenetic placement of the new species, we conducted a phylogenetic investigation based on internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA sequences. Additionally, the new species, X. ripicola, was subsequently analyzed for RNA polymerase II subunit sequences. We also evaluated the macroscopic and microscopic features of this species. Herein, X. ripicola is described as a new species that was collected from a natural beach habitat and X. tentaculata is formally reported as newly found in Korea.
Agaricales ; Ascomycota ; Classification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Ecosystem ; Korea* ; Phylogeny ; RNA Polymerase II

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vascular brachytherpy known to be an effective method in the prevention of restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study we observed the effects of a radioisotope-loaded stent in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Holmium-166 ((166)Ho) was loaded onto the stent surface using impregnated polyurethane, and placed the stents into 7 porcine coronary arteries. Four weeks after stent overdilation injury, histopathological examination was performed. RESULTS: The absorbed dose of (166)Ho to the coronary artery, from the 158.5+/-140.9 microCi (166)Ho stent, was about 141 Gy at a depth of 0.5 mm, which was calculated by Monte Carlo EGS 4 Code. The mean external, and internal elastic lamina areas, the luminal and neointimal areas and the histopathological area stenosis in the 7 porcine coronary arteries were 7.6+/-2.8 mm2, 4.7+/-1.6 mm2, 2.4+/-1.4 mm2, 2.3+/-1.6 mm2 and 49.4+/-24.9%, respectively. The histopathological findings revealed remarkable inflammatory reactions and thrombosis in two of the porcine coronary arteries. CONCLUSION: (166)Ho radioactive loaded stents, using impregnated polyurethane, may inhibit neointimal hyperplasia, but the problems of stent thrombosis and inflammation should be solved.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Restenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Hyperplasia ; Inflammation ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Phenobarbital ; Polyurethanes ; Radioisotopes ; Stents* ; Thrombosis