Purpura fulminans is a potentially disabling and life-threatening disorder characterized by acute onset of progressive cutaneous hemorrhage and necrosis on distal extremities, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. We experienced a case of purpura fulminans due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. A 42-year-old women presented with skin petechiae, ecchymosis and gangrene on distal extremities with laboratory evidence of DIC. The latex agglutination test with CSF was positive at Streptococcus pneumoniae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of purpura fulminans caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in Korea.
Adult ; Dacarbazine ; Ecchymosis ; Extremities ; Female ; Gangrene ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Necrosis ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura* ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Streptococcus pneumoniae* ; Streptococcus*

No abstract available.
Antibody Formation* ; Immunoglobulin A* ; T-Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND: Smoking is closely related to pulmonary diseases, especially pulmonary function. Past studies were defective in that pulmonary function was not included for ex-smokers and the study population being too small. This study attempted to show the change of pulmonary function parameters according to post-smoking years of ex-smokers and pack-years of current smokers. METHODS: We analyzed the results of parameters derived from the forced expiratory spirogram in 3,713 adults who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital Health Screening Center between May 1997 and March 1998. Independent variables used were age, sex, height, weight and smoking status. Dependent variables were pulmonary function parameters. Multiple regression analysis was used. RESULTS: 1.Overall, there was a significant change in pulmonary function parameters among the subjects studied. Significant variables shown were age, sex, height and pack-years. Weight and post-smoking years turned out to be relatively less significant variables. 2. Positive correlation was seen in both FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% in ex-smokers with longer post-smoking years. 3. There was negative correlation in all the parameters of current smokers with longer pack-years. CONCLUSION: The results of this test show that smoking slowly reduce pulmonary function and even those smokers who quit smoking can not be expected to have normal pulmonary function as healthy nonsmokers. However, ex-smokers can expect some improvement in certain pulmonary function parameters as the post-smoking years become longer.
Adult ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Mass Screening ; Smoke* ; Smoking*

STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients with spinal infection(tuberculous+pyogenic) in the lumbar spine were evaluated according to the surgical treatment methods using posterior instrumentation(pedicle screw) and conventional anterior curettage and interbody fusion method without posterior instrumentation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the method consisting of posterior instrumentation using pedicle screw and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It has been reported that patients ended up with kyphosis had a higher incidence of back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with spine infection in the lumbar spine divided into two groups depending on their use of posterior instrumentation in surgical treatment methods. One group consisted of 10 cases which were treated by conventional anterior curettage and anterior lumbar interbody fusion only(Group A) and the other groups consisted of 10 cases were treated by conventional anterior curettage and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation using pedicle screw(Group B) by a single surgeon. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using Macnab's classification and the radiographys were analyzed with respect to fusion status and sagittal angle. RESULTS: A solid bony fusion was obtained in Group B. But in Group A, 2 cases of bony resorption were occurred. The preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up sagittal angle in both groups were -7.4degree/ - 0 . 8degree, -19.0degree/ - 1 2 . 4degreeand -5.9degree/ - 8 . 6degree, respectively. There is a significant statistical difference in loss of sagittal angle correction between two groups(P<0.05). There is no complication related to the posterior instrumentation, but only 1 case of superficial infection was occurred. The clinical outcome which was evaluated by Macnab's method, there was no significant statistical difference between two groups(P>0.05), but exellent result was more common in Group B. CONCLUSION: This method which consist of conventional curettage and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation appears to be effective in stabilizing the vertebrae, and restoration and maintenance of physiologic lumbar lordosis. we would suggested this method for the surgical treatment in infection of lumbar spine.
Animals ; Back Pain ; Classification ; Curettage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Spine*

Ten dogs were enrolled in this study: two healthy dogs, two obese dogs without other medical issues and six obese dogs with underlying diseases including pemphigus, chronic active hepatitis, hyperadrenocorticism, narcolepsy, otitis media and heartworm infection. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to explore the gut bacterial diversity revealed that distal gut bacterial communities of samples from patients with pemphigus, otitis media and narcolepsy consisted primarily of Firmicutes, while the major phylum of the distal gut bacterial communities in patients with chronic active hepatitis and hyperadrenocorticism was Fusobacteria. Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum in heartworm infected obese patients.
Adrenocortical Hyperfunction ; Animals ; Dogs* ; Fusobacteria ; Genes, rRNA ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Microbiota* ; Narcolepsy ; Otitis Media ; Pemphigus ; Pilot Projects* ; Proteobacteria

Although the effects of adenosine on the heart, including the clinical suppression of cardiac arrhythmias, have been recognized for more than half a century, it is only in the last decade that the therapeutic potential of adenosine has been recognized. The objective of this study was to determine if augmentation of myocardial adenosine levels during global ischemia improves functional recovery after reperfusion. We used to modified Langendorff system to evaluate myocardial protective effect. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 90 minutes of deep hypothermic arrest(15degrees C) with modified St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution used to provide myocardial protection. Myocardial adenosine levels were augmented during ischemia by providing exogenous adenosine in the cardioplegic solution. Two groups of hearts were studied: (1) control group(n=10) - cardioplegia alone; (2) adenosine group(n=10) - adenosine(0.75mg/Kg/min) added to the cardioplegic solution. Significantly better percent recovery(p<0.01) in hemodynamics(except heart rate) at 60 minutes after reperfusion was evident compared to baseline values in the adenosine group. (systolic aortic pressure : 78.5+/-3.6% vs 66.6+/-5.9%, aortic overflow volume : 61.7+/- 11.6% vs 37.2+/-15.4%, coronary flow volume : 77.1+/-7.5% vs 57.2+/-11.1%, and cardiac output : 65.6+/-11.5% vs 44.2+/-12.4%). Heart rate was similar in two groups(94.4+/-4.8% vs 95.3 +/- 6.8%). Adenosine groups resulted in significantly rapid recovery time of heart beat after reperfusion(p<0.01) (24.5+/-7.6 sec. vs 179.0+/-131.1sec.). In biochemical study, CPK levels(0.1+/-0.3U/L vs 1.4+/-0.8U/L) and lactic acid levels(0.08+/-0.1mmol/L vs 0.34+/-0.2 mmol/L) were significantly low in adenosine groups(p<0.01). We concluded that adenosine included cardioplegia have better recovery effects after reperfusion in myocardial ischemia compared to adenosine free cardioplegia.
Adenosine* ; Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Cardioplegic Solutions ; Heart ; Heart Arrest, Induced* ; Heart Rate ; Ischemia ; Lactic Acid ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Rats ; Reperfusion

PURPOSE: Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) has been known to regulate the transcriptional activity of thyroid-specific genes. Ki-67 has been known as a marker for indicating tumor growth. This study was designed to campare the expressions of TTF-1 and Ki-67 on non- neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid tissues. METHODS: The surgically resected specimens of various histological types of thyroid tumor, from the files of the Dept. of surgery, Chung-Ang University Pil-Dong Hospital, between January 1998 and June 2002 were reviewed, and 55 cases selected for immunohistochemical studies. The materials consisted of tissues from 10 nodular hyperplasias, 28 papillary carcinomas, 15 follicular adenomas and 12 follicular carcinomas. All specimens were routinely processed, and paraffin blocks were available in all cases. Immunohistochemical stains for TTF-1 and Ki-67 were also performed. RESULTS: In all the cases, including the nodular hyperplasias, papillary carcinomas, follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas, expressions of the TTF-1 were observed. The properties of the TTF-1 expression, including staining intensity, extent and index were not related to the tumor type. The expression of TTF-1 was inversely correlated with the tumor proliferation fraction, as assessed by the Ki-67 staining index. CONCLUSION: TTF-1 was expressed in almost all the benign lesions and well differentiated carcinomas, and correlated with the tumor proliferation fraction.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Coloring Agents ; Hyperplasia ; Paraffin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

Objective: : Stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) has been increasingly used to treat various types of intracranial aneurysms. Delayed thromboembolic complications are major concerns regarding this procedure, so dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is needed. However, clinicians vary the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after SAC, and no randomized study has been performed. This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of long-term (12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy and shortterm dual antiplatelet therapy (6 months) after SAC for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Methods: : This is a prospective, randomized and multicenter trial to investigate the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after SAC in patients with UIAs. Subjects will receive dual antiplatelet therapy for 6 months (short-term group) or 12 months (longterm group) after SAC. The primary endpoint is the assessment of thromboembolic complications between 1 and 18 months after SAC. We will enroll 528 subjects (264 subjects in each group) and perform 1 : 1 randomization. This study will involve 14 topperforming, high-volume Korean institutions specializing in coil embolization. Results: : The trial will begin enrollment in 2022, and clinical data will be available after enrollment and follow-up. Conclusion : This article describes that the aim of this prospective randomized multicenter trial is to compare the effect of short-term (6 months) and long-term (12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy on UIAs in patients undergoing SAC, and to find the optimal duration.

No Abstract Available.
Animals ; Base Sequence* ; Cattle* ; Serotyping*