To investigate the mechanism of crescent formation, sequential pathologic changes from the New Zealand White rabbits with anti-GBM antibody induced GN by administration of guinea pig anti-GBM IgG were studied by light (LM), immunofluorescent (IF) and electron (EM) microscopy. Although no glomerular changes were observed in LM, swelling of the endothelial cells and the epithelial cells were noted in EM by day 2. By day 7, early and cellular crescents were evident. Proteinaceous materials and fibrins were noted in the glomerular capillary lumina (GCL) and Bowman's space (BS) associated with segmental hypercellularity. The GBM damage became progressively severe, followed by focal detachment of the visceral epithelial cells from the GBM. At day 14, fibrin strands, mononuclear cells and collagen fibrils were present between the proliferating extracapillary cells. At day 31, fibrocellular crescents were predominated. Elongated spindle cells, morphologically resembling myofibroblasts, were noted near the Bowman's capsule (BC). A degree of tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrates increased as it did with fibrous organization of crescent. Intense linear IF staining for IgG and C3 were seen throughout the experiments along the GBM. In conclusion, the progression of crescent from an early "proteinaceous" stage through cellular, fibrocellular and fibrous stages was well documented in this study. Inflammatory cells and coagulation mechanism may activate the initiation of the GBM damage at the early stage. Activated periglomerular mononuclear cells may also cause disruption of BC which facilitates entry of activated periglomerular cells and fibroblasts into BS leading to progressive fibrous crescent formation.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Bowman Capsule ; Capillaries ; Collagen ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibrin ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunoglobulin G ; Microscopy ; Myofibroblasts ; Rabbits*

The double-chambered right ventricle is congenital or acquired cardiac anomaly, which is characterized by aberrent hypertrophied muscular bands that divide the right ventriclar cavity into two different pressure chamber. This anomaly can complicate the natural history of patient with isolated ventricular septal defect. We experienced two cases of cases of acquired DCRV, which confirmed by two separate cardiac catherterization and angiography. The purpose of this report is to show that the aberrant muscular bands may be nonobstructive in early infancy and that the obstructive effect is developed with time as the bands become progressively more hypertrophied.
Angiography ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart Ventricles* ; Humans ; Natural History

Since the hospital bankruptcy rate is increasing, it has been an important issue to predict the bankruptcy of hospital using the existing hospital management information. Fortunately, the implementation of data mining methodology and decision support system(DSS) are becoming popular. Therefore, this study developed the statistical software for predicting hospital bankruptcy using data mining tool. Stepwise procedures were taken as follows: 1) adopting the HGLM and Logit Models; 2) implementing the input and output processes; 3) linking to the iBITs interface, the data miming tool; and 4) evaluating the software by fitting the hospital management data in practice. The software is written in Visual C++ 5.0 under windows NT/95, and allows the interconnection with other interfaces and libraries. This program initiates encouragement of implementation of DSS models using data mining methodology, in health care fields. This kind of software will play a pivotal role in improving the efficiency and adequacy of managing health care institutions.
Bankruptcy* ; Data Mining* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Logistic Models ; Models, Statistical

No abstract available.
Fluconazole* ; Tinea Capitis* ; Tinea*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Macrophage Activation* ; Macrophages* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide ; Phagocytosis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of propofol abuse based on the results of a survey analysis of abusers among non-healthcare professionals in Korea. METHODS: Thirty-eight propofol abusers were questioned between October and December 2010, and were enrolled and voluntarily participated in a structured survey consisting of an interview and completing a previously prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three distinct parts: part 1 dealt with the history of propofol abuse; part 2 highlighted the problems caused by propofol abuse; and part 3 enquired regarding demographics of abusers. RESULTS: Thirty-one (81.6%) of the 38 interviewees abused propofol for more than one year. During the last 12 months, 34 (89.0%) received propofol at two or three times a week. The minimum and maximum amounts of propofol (median, range) administered each time were 500 (100, 1000) and 2000 (500, 4000) mg, respectively. Stress relief and the maintenance of a sense of well-being were quoted the most important reasons for the first-time administration of propofol and its subsequent abuse, respectively. The majority of abusers (36.0, 97.3%) reported a sense of pleasure or euphoria at the time of their propofol injection. Withdrawal symptoms occurred in five abusers (13.2%). Thirteen (36.1%) reported disruptions in their work life. None of the respondents had previously admitted to and or reported abuse of any other controlled substances. CONCLUSIONS: These results provided reference data for the regulation of propofol in Korea as a controlled substance and may also be of interest to international agencies in other countries.
Controlled Substances ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Demography ; Euphoria ; International Agencies ; Korea* ; Pleasure ; Propofol* ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is being widely used in an attempt to treat many hematological diseases such as leukemia, anemia, and lymphoma. To evaluate the success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is very important to determine how rapidly engraftment occurs. Therefore, this retrospective study was conducted to determine which factors affected the term of engraftment during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, while focusing on the oral intake status. To accomplish this, 416 patients who underwent transplant operations at St. Mary's hospital from May 2006 to April 2008 were evaluated. The long-term engraftment group was characterized as having longer fasting days and more frequent vomiting, diarrhea, and oral mucositis incidences than the short-term engraftment group. In addition, the inhibitors of oral intake such as vomiting, diarrhea, and oral mucositis developed frequently between the pre-transplantation and 2 weeks after transplantation. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the oral intake volume and the duration of the oral intake inhibitors. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of vomiting and oral mucositis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the length of hospitalization, and the hematocrit level in the 2 weeks after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were significant predictors of engraftment. The results of this study could be used to establish a guideline for nutritional assessment, nutritional goals, and nutritional support for patients during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Anemia ; Diarrhea ; Fasting ; Hematocrit ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomatitis ; Transplants ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Asian countries. Functional dyspepsia (FD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are also prevalent and commonly overlapped with GERD. This study was conducted to compare the proportion and risk factors for overlapping reflux esophagitis (RE) and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). METHODS: A total of 2,388 [male, 55.9%; mean age (+/- SD), 43.2 years (+/- 8.4)] Korean subjects who underwent the upper endoscopy for health screening were prospectively included. The subjects were asked about demographic, medical and social history by using a structured questionnaire, and FD and IBS were assessed according to the Rome III criteria. RESULTS: The subjects with RE were 286 (12.0%, male 88.5%, 42.8 years) and 74 subjects had NERD (3.1%) while the prevalence of FD and IBS were 8.1% and 10.1%, respectively. The proportion of FD and IBS in NERD was higher than that of RE (74.3% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.000; 41.9% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.000, respectively). The epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) was more prevalent than postprandial distress syndrome in NERD. According to multiple regression analysis, high somatization score and the presence of FD increased the odd ratio for NERD. However, male gender and current smoker were significant risk factors for RE. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to RE, NERD is more frequently overlapped with FD, especially EPS, and also are associated with significantly increased frequency of IBS. Our data draws attention to the possibility of subgrouping FGIDs and GERD to be important in understanding the pathophysiology of these conditions.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dyspepsia ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Rome

PURPOSE: In this study, the etiology and the change of clinical characteristics of hyponatremia, in relation to the increased used of thiazide diuretics, have been assessed. METHODS: To perform a retrospective cohort study, a total sum of 322 patients who have been admitted in a single tertiary referral hospital between 2004 and 2009, were included. RESULTS: The most common cause of hyponatremia was due to thiazide diuretics (37.6%). Among the 121 patients who suffered from thiazide induced hyponatremia, 60 (48.0%) patients took combination thiazide. The incidence of hyponatremia has shown a tendency to increase from 2004 to 2009 (trend test, p<0.001). The incidence of hyponatremia due to the use of combination types has also increased (trend test, p<0.001). Thiazide induced hyponatremia showed no difference when compared to hyponatremia due the other causes, except the fact that the portion of female patients was higher (73.6% vs 64.6%, p<0.001), mean age was older (74.7 vs 69.9 years-old, p<0.001), and incidence of cerebrovascular accident was also higher (19.8% vs 6.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of thiazide is increasing and hence thiazide-induced hyponatremia is also increasing. This is thought to be particularly related to the increase of thiazide-combined drugs. Thiazideinduced hyponatremia shows a higher incidence in old age, female sex and those who have a history of a cerebrovascular event. Hence more caution is needed when using thiazide diuretics as antihypertensives, and plasma sodium levels should be monitored carefully.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Cohort Studies ; Diuretics ; Female ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Incidence ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium ; Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors ; Stroke ; Tertiary Care Centers

No abstract available.
Cellulitis* ; Scedosporium*