BACKGROUND: There have been few reports suggesting involvement of mast cell and neutrophil to induce bronchoconstriction in aspirin-sensitive asthrna. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mast cell and neutrophil activation in pathogenesis of aspirin-sensitive asthma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We observed changes of serum NCA and MPO levels during L-ASA bronchoprovocation test in 14 subjects with aspirin-sensitive asthma. RESULTS: Serum NCA was significantly increased at 30 min(p=0.01) after the inhalation of L-ASA and then, no significant changes were noted at 240 min (p=0.14). NCA was significantly higher in subjects with late asthmatic responses than in those without it (p=0.04). Serum MPO level tended to increase at 30 min with no statistical significance (p=0.08), and then it significantly decreased at 240 min (p=0.05). There was no significant correlation between serum NCA and MPO level (r=0.22, p=0.58). CONCLUSION: These results support the view that NCA derived from mast cell may contribute to neutrophil recruitment into the airway in aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients.
Asthma ; Bronchoconstriction ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Mast Cells ; Neutrophil Activation ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils*

Background and OBJECTIVE: There has been a few case reports of anaphylaxis due to honeybee in Korea. In order to observe the clinical feature of bee sting anaphylaxis. Moderials and methods: Six patients living in Kyunggi province area were referred under history of anaphylaxis after the bee sting. Atopy was defined by skin prick test result to common inhalant allergen. Serum specific IgE antibody to each bee antigen was detected by radioimmunoassay to identify the causative bee. RESULTS: All six cases were female. Three had atopy and four had combined allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and urticaria. The etiologic bees consisted of yellow jacket (6 cases), paper wasp (4 cases), yellow hornet (3 cases), white faced hornet (1 case) and honey bee (1 case). Four cases had experienced anaphylaxis after ant bite and they showed positive result on specific IgE to imported fire ant. Specific immunotherapy against causative bee venom was begun using bee venom extracts from Bayer (USA) based upon results of specific IgE anti-body to bee venom. CONCLUSION: The yellow jacket is the most common cause of bee venom anaphylaxis in this area. Further studies will be needed to evaluate possible cross-reactivity between bee and ant venom.
Anaphylaxis* ; Ant Venoms ; Ants ; Asthma ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Bites and Stings ; Female ; Fires ; Gyeonggi-do ; Honey ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Korea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rhinitis ; Skin ; Urticaria ; Wasps

BACKGROUND: Bacteriokiller system(BKS) produces disinfectant which is generated by the mixture of active oxygen and hypochlorous acid with tap water. Previous studies showed that BKS disinfectant is highly bacteridal against clinical isolates in in vitro testings and more effective than general soap and water for the disinfecttion of contaminated handa. This study was performed to evaluate ling-trem effects of BKS as a handwasing agent in clinical settings. METHODS: Five BKS were installed for the 9-month period from June 1995 to February 1996 in 16-bed Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit. Handwashing was frequency was observed after 1, 6, and 8 month of BKS use. Six-month incidences of nosocomial infecrion before and after BKS installation were compared to evaluate the possible effect of handwashings on nosocomial infection rates. A self-administered questionaire was used to collect data on handwashing frequency and their opinions of the BKS disinfectant at 2 and 8 months after the installation. RESULTS: Handwashing frequency of healthcare workers(HCWs) before and after patient contacts was increased from 34.1%(137/402) to 50.3%(193/384) (p<0.00001). At the same time, the 6-month nosocomial infection rate was down to 10.5%(43/411) from the pre-BKS rate of 13.0%( 51/431) and the patient-day rate was also decreased from 18.3(56/3068) to 15.1(43/2,844). Most (80.5%) of HCWs thought that BKS promote handwashing and "convenience" was the main reason for more frequent handwashing. Ninety three percent of HCWs would recommend the replacement of tne existing sinks and handwashing disinfectants with BKS. NO adverse skin reaction were reported after 8 months. Conclusions: BKS appears to promote handwashing because it is easy to use with no skin irritation and may contribute toward the prevention of nosocomial infections.
Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disinfectants ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Hypochlorous Acid ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Neurosurgery ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Skin ; Soaps

BACKGROUND: Patients with liver cirrhosis are regularly examined for the evaluation of esophageal varices. Those with large varices should be treated with beta-blockers. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical variables were predictive of the presence of esophageal varices or high-grade varices. METHODS: The medical records of 257 patients, diagnosed as having liver cirrhosis and underwent esophagogastro-duodenoscopy (EGD), were reviewed. None had a history of malignancy and variceal hemorrhage before EGD. Clinical findings were analyzed in relation to the presence of esophageal varices and high grade esophageal varices. RESULTS: The multiple logistic regression analysis showed an independent association between the presence of esophageal varices and ascites and low platelet count. Only low platelet count showed association with high grade esophageal varices. The cut-off value of predictive model for high grade esophageal varices was 73,766/microliter and its sensitivity was 75%, specificity 65.7%, negative predictive value 96.2%, and positive predictive value 18.6%. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that low platelet count and ascites were independent predictive factors for esophageal varices. For high grade varices, the platelet count was the only predictive factor. Endoscopic screening for detection of high grade varix is highly recommended when the platelet count is lower than 74,000/microliter is observed in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Ascites ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Platelet Count ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Varicose Veins

Objective and METHOD: In order to identify the aggravating agents for intrinsic asthma, we performed ASA- and food additive-challenge tests on 182 subjects diagnosed as having intrinsic asthma. The following tests were performed: Lysine-aspirin bronchoprovocation test to confirm aspirin-sensitivity, sodium bi-sulfite (40-200mg) oral provocation test for sulfite sensitivity, tartrazine oral provocation test (50mg) for tartrazine sensitivity, and sodium benzoate (400mg) oral provocation test for sodium benzoate sensitivity. Positive reaction was defined as decrease in FEV, by more than 20% from the baseline value after the provocation. RESULT: Seventy-five (41.2%) of 182 subjects showed positive responses to more than one agent among the aspirin and three food additives challenged. The prevalence of aspirin-sensitivity was the highest (22.5%), followed by sulfite-sensitivity (8.8%), and then concurrent sensitivity to both aspirin and sulfite (6.0% ), to both aspirin and tartrazine (1.6% ), to aspirin, sulfite and tartrazine (1.1%) and to aspirin, sulfite and sodium benzoate (0.5%). Rhino-sinusitis was noted in 62.5% of aspirin-sensitive asthmatic subjects, 60% of sulfite-sensitive ones, and 80% of tartrazine-sensitive ones. Urticaria was noted in 21.4% of aspirin-sensitive asthmatic subjects, 16.6% of sulfite-sensitive ones and 6.3% of tartrazine-sensitive ones. Thirty-seven to 83% of positive responders had no adverse reaction history. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ASA and food additive challenge tests should be considered as a screening test to evaluate any aggravating factors in subjects with intrinsic asthma, even though they may not have experienced any adverse reactions.
Aspirin* ; Asthma* ; Food Additives* ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Sodium ; Sodium Benzoate ; Tartrazine ; Urticaria

Purpose: This study attempted to recommend a revision of inpatient nursing fees based on analyzing current and appropriate staffing levels. Methods: Staffing grades and their inpatient nursing fees as of the first quarter of 2022 were analyzed. Nurse managers and staff nurses answered surveys about the current and appropriate staffing levels, working days, and monthly salary. A total of 101 nurse managers and 588 staff nurses working in general wards at tertiary hospitals and general hospitals participated in the study. Results: The results showed that grade 1 staffing was found in 73.3% of tertiary hospitals and 63.7% of general hospitals. The current staffing ratios of tertiary hospitals and general hospitals were 1:9.3 and 1:10.4, respectively. The appropriate staffing ratios according to nurse managers and staff nurses at tertiary hospitals were 1:7.6 and 1:7.0, respectively, and 1:8.7 and 1:8.8 in general hospitals, respectively. The average estimated annual working days of staff nurses were 235.2 days in tertiary hospitals and 240.0 days in general hospitals. The median monthly salary for staff nurses was 4.957 million won in tertiary hospitals and 4.140 million won in general hospitals. The new staffing grade system was suggested from 1:6 (Grade 1) to 1:12 (Grade 5). The new inpatient nursing fee schedules were recommended to be paid based on nursing hours per patient day of each grade. Conclusion The new staffing grade and inpatient nursing fee schedules are expected to increase staffing levels, improve the quality of nursing care, and provide a better work environment for nurses.

The pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma has been known as a very rare type of glioma, which occurs mainly in the temporal lobe of the brain in young ages. It has distinctive characteristics regarding age, symptoms and signs, gross and microscopic features and relatively favorable prognosis despite of pleomorphism and bizarre giant cells in microscopic picture. The authors report a case of plemorphic xanthoastrocytoma presented with generalized seizure and review the past literatures.
Brain ; Giant Cells ; Glioma ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe

Angioedema is a well-demarcated localized edema involving the deeper layers of the skin, including the subcutaneous tissue. Angioedema occurs with Cl esterase inhibitor (Cl INH) deficiency that may be inborn as an autosomal dominant characteristic or may be acquired. Acquired angioedema (AAE) is a rare disorder characterized by adult onset and lack of evidence of inheritance of the disease. Two types of AAE are known today: type I in which there are lowering of functional Cl INH, an underlying disease such as a B-cell disease, and no detectable autoantibodies to Cl INH, type II with anti Cl INH autoantibodies in the circulation without detectable underlying disease and with depressed functional Cl INH levels. We experienced a case of angioedema in a 29-year old man. He had no family history of angioedema and laboratory data showed depressed Cl-INH levels. We diagnosed the case as acquired type of angioedema. Even though we could not measure anti-Cl INH auto-antibodies, we identified the case as type II because there was no evidence of underlying disease.
Adult ; Angioedema* ; Angioedemas, Hereditary* ; Autoantibodies ; B-Lymphocytes ; Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein* ; Complement C1s* ; Edema ; Humans ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Wills

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Uterus*