Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the species of Actinomyces. Although it has become a rare disease in the present antibiotics era, it still needs long term antibiotic treatment and often mis- or delayed- diagnosed due to no typical sign and symptoms. Most often, it occurs in the cervicofacial region. Middle ear is not a common site for Actinomycosis, and the inner ear involvement is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of middle ear Actinomycosis involving facial nerve and lateral semicircular canal.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle* ; Facial Nerve* ; Granulomatous Disease, Chronic ; Rare Diseases ; Semicircular Canals* ; Temporal Bone

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of spirituality promoting intervention for the stomach and colon cancer patients. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was used. Data collection was carried out from April 2004 to June, 2004 at a cancer center in Korea. The intervention included pray, meditation, group education and discussion for coping with cancer. The experimental group were received a 1-hour intervention per week for 6 weeks, while the control group received usual care. Data collection was done at pre and post intervention. The degree of spirituality was measured by the Korean version of WHOQOL-SRPB pilot test(WHO Quality of Life-Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs pilot test) Module, and social support was measured using scores on a PRQ 85(Personal Resources Questionnaire). Fighting spirit was measured by the scores of MAC(Mental Adjustment to Cancer) scale. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant increase in the scores of social support and fighting spirit compared to those in the control group after the intervention. There were no significant changes in terms of the spirituality score compared to the baseline score in the experimental group and the control group. CONCLUSION: This intervention appeared to be effective in increasing social support and fighting spirit, which considered to be very helpful in cancer adjustment.
Colonic Neoplasms ; Data Collection ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Meditation ; Spirituality* ; Stomach

Unidimensional and two dimensional paper choromatogram were prepared of 10 kinds of parastic helminths. Fourteen amino acids were identified from the acid hydrolysed tissue proteins of A. lumbricoides(cuticle and musculature), A. galli, F. hepatica, E. pancreaticum, P. cervi, T. solium, and M. expansa. They were glycine, alanine, serine, threonine, methione, valine, leucine, aspartic acid, lysine, arginine, tyrosine, proline and histidine. In hydrolysates of A. lumbricoides(female genital organ) and C. sinensis, 13 amino acids were recovered. Twelve amino acid from A. lumbricoides(intestinal tract), 9 from P. westermani, and 6 from H. nana were also identified in the tissue hydrolysates.
parasitology ; helminth ; nematoda ; trematoda ; cestoda ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Ascaridia galli ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Paragonimus westermani ; Fasciola hepatica ; Eurytrema pancreaticum ; Paramphistomum cervi ; Taenia solium ; Moniezia expansa ; Hymenolepis nana ; paper chromatography ; biochemistry ; glycine ; alanine ; serine ; threonine ; methione ; valine ; leucine ; aspartic acid ; ysine ; arginine ; tyrosine ; proline ; histidine

Background: The effects of far-infrared radiation (FIR) on the treatment of rotator cuff diseases remains unknown. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with regard to postoperative pain and healing. Methods: This prospective randomized comparative study included 38 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to a medium-sized tear. Patients were randomly divided into the FIR or control group (n = 19 per group). In the FIR group, FIR with an FIR radiator started 1 week postoperatively for 30 minutes per session twice daily. It lasted until abduction brace weaning at 5 weeks postoperatively. We assessed pain using a pain visual analogue scale (pVAS) and measured the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder at 5 weeks, and 3 and 6 months, postoperatively. The anatomical outcome was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively. Results: At 5 weeks postoperatively, the average pVAS score was lower in the FIR group than in the control group (1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.7; P = 0.019). At 3 months postoperatively, the average forward flexion was higher in the FIR group (151.6° ± 15.3° vs. 132.9° ± 27.8°;P = 0.045), but there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in healing failure between the groups (P = 0.999). Conclusions FIR after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair could be an effective and safe procedure to reduce postoperative pain, thereby facilitating rehabilitation and better ROM in the early postoperative period.

Malignant biliary or pancreatic duct stricture is dilatated using dilatating catheter or balloon catheter but a high grade stricture is difficult to dilate by general dilatating methods. Using Soehendra stent retriever is an effective method for exchanging an impacted stent. Recently, high grade malignant biliary strictures have been dilatated by Soehendra stent retriever. We report 3 cases of successful biliary drainage in high grade malignant biliary strictures using 7 Fr Soehendra stent retriever.
Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Drainage* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Stents*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inner hair cells (IHCs) of the organ of Corti change the external sound stimulus into the electrical signal and transmit this signal to the auditory cortex through afferent nerve fibers. Outer hair cells (OHCs) control the sound transmission function of IHC. OHCs respond with a somatic shape change to alterations in their membrane potential and this electromotile response is believed to provide mechanical feedback to the basilar membrane. Efferent nerve fibers which arise from the superior olivary nucleus in the midbrain and transmit to OHCs through medial olivocochlear bundle use acetylcholine (ACh) as a neurotransmitter. The cholinergic response of OHCs' alpha-9 nicotinic ACh receptor increase the Ca2+ influx, which control OHCs' electromotility by changing a membrane potential. In this research, the effect of ACh on the K+ current in OHC of guinea pig was studied, and the change of OHC length by ACh was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the extracted OHC from a guinea pig potassium currents induced by ACh were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The change of OHC length when ACh was applied was observed. RESULTS: 1) ACh increases voltage-dependent K+ current in OHC. 2) In the condition, which Ca2+-dependent K+ current is blocked by removing Ca2+ from intra-cellular fluid, ACh has no effect on K+ current in OHC. 3) ACh increases OHC length. CONCLUSION: These experimental results show that ACh from the medial olivocochlear efferent system regulates mobility of OHC, increases the Ca2+-dependent K+ currents in OHC.
Acetylcholine* ; Animals ; Auditory Cortex ; Basilar Membrane ; Calcium ; Guinea Pigs ; Hair* ; Membrane Potentials ; Mesencephalon ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Olivary Nucleus ; Organ of Corti ; Potassium Channels ; Potassium*

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infectious disease with rapidly progressive involvement of the affected site. Because of the high mortality rate of this disease, early diagnosis, surgical exploration, and administration of appropriate antibiotics are necessary. The present study aimed to further review the changes in the clinical and microbiological characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis using patients' medical records from consecutive databases of 3 hospitals in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with necrotizing fasciitis who were clinically diagnosed between May 2001 and February 2012 in 3 university hospitals in Korea. In total, the data of 83 patients were analyzed, including those of 20 patients from our previous study in 2006. An organism found in a blood culture or surgical specimen was regarded as a causative organism. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 68(81.9%) had community-acquired infections. Ninety microorganism species were indentifed by culture. Streptococcus was the most commonly identified pathogen. Non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria and Candida species have recently emerged, especially in immunocompromised hosts. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive organisms are still the most common pathogens of necrotizing fasciitis. However in our study, various gram-negative bacteria with different levels of susceptibility to antibiotics, as well as Candida species, were responsible for the necrotizing fasciitis. Initial empirical antimicrobial agents for necrotizing fasciitis should be considered depending on the individual patient's condition.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Candida ; Communicable Diseases ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Early Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Streptococcus

BACKGROUND: Although effective antifungal agents for the treatment of candidemia have recently been introduced, the mortality rate attributed to candidemia remains high (19~49%). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the risk factors for mortality in patients with candidemia and at assessing the usefulness of a Candida Score in these patients. METHODS: A cohort of patients with positive blood cultures for Candida species was retrospectively analyzed at Soonchunhyang University Hospital, a 750-bed teaching hospital, from May 2003 to February 2012. The Candida Score was calculated by assigning 1 point to any of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), surgery, or multifocal Candida species colonization, and 2 points to severe sepsis. RESULTS: Sixty patients (68.3% men; mean age (standard deviation [SD]), 61.8 [18.9] years) with blood cultures positive for Candida species were identified. Most patients had been admitted to an intensive care unit (48 [80%]), were receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics (37 [61.7%]), had TPN (29 [48.3%]), had diabetes mellitus (23 [38.3%]), and were receiving hemodialysis (10 [16.7%]). The mean (SD) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 19.60 (8.8). Twenty-three patients (38.3%) had a Candida Score >2.5. The Candida species causing infection included C. albicans (41 [68.3%]), C. tropicalis (7 [11.7%]), C. parapsilosis (4 [6.7%]), C. krusei (3 [5%]), C. glabrata (3 [5%]), C. guilliermondii (1 [1.7%]), and C. catenulata (1 [1.7%]). Only 32 patients (53.3%) received adequate antifungal treatment. The candidemia-related mortality rate was 61.7% (n = 37 patients). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a high APACHE II score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.0~1.3; p = 0.01), presence of a malignancy (aOR, 14.8; 95% CI, 2.5~88.0; p = 0.003), and treatment with an antifungal agent (aOR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0~1.0; p = 0.048) were associated with disease-related mortality. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for mortality in patients with candidemia are a high APACHE II scores and presence of a malignancy. However, the sensitivity of the Candida Score was not high (38.3%). New methods to rapidly identify candidemia and avoid delays in treatment with appropriate antifungal therapy are needed.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antifungal Agents ; APACHE ; Blood ; Candida* ; Candidemia* ; Cohort Studies ; Colon ; Diabetes Mellitus ; General Surgery ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methods ; Mortality* ; Odds Ratio ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been reported to have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated RAGE levels in the hippocampus and cortex of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) using western blotting and immunohistochemical double-labeling to assess cellular localization. Analysis of western blots showed that there were no differences in the hippocampal and cortical RAGE levels in 10-month-old adult 3xTg-AD mice, but significant increases in RAGE expression were found in the 22- to 24-month-old aged 3xTg-AD mice compared with those of age-matched controls. RAGE-positive immunoreactivity was observed primarily in neurons of aged 3xTg-AD mice with very little labeling in non-neuronal cells, with the notable exception of RAGE presence in astrocytes in the hippocampal area CA1. In addition, RAGE signals were co-localized with the intracellular amyloid precursor protein (APP)/amyloid beta (Abeta) but not with the extracellular APP/Abeta. In aged 3xTg-AD mice, expression of human tau was observed in the hippocampal area CA1 and co-localized with RAGE signals. The increased presence of RAGE in the 3xTg-AD animal model showing critical aspects of AD neuropathology indicates that RAGE may contribute to cellular dysfunction in the AD brain.
Advanced Glycosylation End Product-Specific Receptor ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics/*metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism ; Animals ; Astrocytes/*metabolism ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal/growth & development/metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurons/*metabolism ; Receptors, Immunologic/genetics/*metabolism ; tau Proteins/genetics/metabolism

Cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is common and has been reported in more than 50% of the patients at the same stage during their illness. SLE can affect the heart in a number of ways;myocarditis, pericarditis, aortic insufficiency, hypertensive heart disease, and coronary arteritis. In recent years, with prolonged survival and improvement in diagnostic modalities, the cardiovascular manifestations of SLE have become more apparent. Coronary artery disease has a number of possible pathogenic mechanisms;atherosclerosis, coronary arteritis, spasm, and hypercoagulability. For management purposes, differentiation between arteritis and artheroslerosis is important. Atherosclerosis in the coronary as well as other vessels appears to be accelerated by SLE. Cardiovascular care to the SLE patients should be emphasized, because corticosteroid treatment and auto-immune mechanisms of SLE are able to promote the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. We report 36-year-old otherwise healthy female with SLE who presented with severe ischemic heart disease requiring coronary by-pass surgery.
Adult ; Arteritis ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pericarditis ; Spasm ; Thrombophilia