PURPOSE: We performed a study on clinical benefits of Harada's scoring method, problems of present criteria and requirement of the revision of that criteria for intrvenos gamma-globulin (IVGG) treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Korea. METHODS: The patients of 104 cases who visited to Department of Pediatrics of Chungnam National University Hospital and diagnosed as KD were objective group. We classified the patients to high and low risk groups as two methods of Harada's scoring method and present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea, and analyzed the results after treatment by means of echocardiogram. RESULTS: 1. Characteristics of the patients 1) Duration to diagnosis: Mean duration was 6.0 3.5days after onset of fever. 2) Age of onset and male to female ratio: the patients of 84.6% were the age of 4 years or less, and male to female ratio was 1.8 to 1. 2. Coronary aitery lesion (CAL) abnormalities according to items of Harada's scoring method and classification of risk groups 1) The age of less than 12 months and CRP of 3+ or more were significant predictive factors 2) Classification of risk groups was significantly predictive in CAL development. 3. Classification of total cases The patients reserved to administration for IVGG according to Harada's scoring method and present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea were 63.5% and 50% respectively. If so in present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea, 50% of the KD patients were excluded for that application. 4. Outcome after treatment according to selective IVGG use by two methods 1) Selective IVGG use by Harada's scoring method: There was no significant difference in development of CAL between low risk group and high risk group, resulting in 1 case (14.3%) of 7 cases and 5 cases (9.4%) of 53 cases respectively. 2) Selective IVGG use by present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea: There were more significant cases at low risk group than those at high risk group in development of CAL, resulting in 3 cases (42.9%) of 7 cases and 5 cases (12.2%) of 41 cases respectively. 3) Outcome after treatment in patients not administered IVGG as low risk groups according to two methods: There were more significant cases in low risk group at present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea than those at Harada's scoring method in the development of CAL, resulting in 3 cases (42.9%) of 7 cases and 1 case (14.3%) of 7 ases respectively. 4) Outcome after treatment in patients administered IVGG as high risk groups according to two methods: There was no significant difference between high risk groups at both methods in the CAL development, resulting in 5 cases (12.2%) of 41 cases at present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea and 5 cases (9.4%) of 53 cases at Harada's scoring method. CONCLUSIONS: Harada's scoring method had more benefits in clinical application, selection of risk group, and outcome after treatment, So we propose the revision of present criteria for IVGG treatment of KD in Korea, suggesting another method as indication for selective IVGG treatment.
Age of Onset ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Pediatrics ; Research Design* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Currently, the incidence of hepatitis A is on the increase in Korea. Although there is emphasis on contact precautions, the nosocomial outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in healthcare personnel has increased within endemic areas because these workers inevitably come in close contact with patients and work under suboptimal hygiene conditions. In this study, we evaluated the necessity of immunization against HAV for healthcare personnel. METHODS: We investigated the seropositivity of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV antibody (Ab) in 672 healthcare personnel on the basis of their age-group, sex, and occupation in Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital and Soon Chun Hyang University Bucheon Hospital. RESULTS: The subjects were divided into 6 groups on the basis of their ages to identify differences among the various age groups in the number of cases with HAV Ab seropositivity. Significant intergroup differences were noted in this respect: 21-25 years, 2/152 (1.3%); 26-30 years, 33/245 (13.5%); 31-35 years, 70/148 (47.3%); 36-40 years, 52/79 (65.8%); >40 years, 44/48 (91.7%). CONCLUSION: The number of seropositive cases was low among young healthy personnel: low seropositivity is an emerging risk for vulnerable population. With the increase in the incidence of hepatitis A, healthcare personnel have become a risk population for hepatitis A, as are community residents. Therefore, for healthcare personnel working in hospitals, immunization against HAV should be recommended for personnel younger than 30 years, and serological testing for older personnel.
Delivery of Health Care ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis A virus ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Korea ; Occupations ; Serologic Tests ; Vulnerable Populations

We reported two cases of diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma treated with maintaining continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) in chronic renal failure(CRF) patients with CAPD. Hyperglycemia is common complication in CAPD, but there were only few reports of severe hyperglycemia accompanying with hyperosmolar coma in CRF patients on CAPD therapy. Furthermore, to date, no specific management for CAPD patients with nonketotic hyperosmolar coma has been established. The best strategy for management of hyperosmolar coma with CAPD patients is changing CAPD therapy to HD. Recently, we experienced two cases of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma in diabetic CAPD patients successfully treated with intravenous hydration and insulin therapy without discontinuing CAPD therapy. Because no such case has been reported, we report two cases of diabetic hyperosmolar coma with CAPD treated without conversion to HD. These cases suggest that adequate fluid replacement accompanying electrolytes and osmotic balance as well as insulin therapy might be a major role for safe treatment of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma in patient with CAPD.
Coma* ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Renal Dialysis

We reported two cases of diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma treated with maintaining continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) in chronic renal failure(CRF) patients with CAPD. Hyperglycemia is common complication in CAPD, but there were only few reports of severe hyperglycemia accompanying with hyperosmolar coma in CRF patients on CAPD therapy. Furthermore, to date, no specific management for CAPD patients with nonketotic hyperosmolar coma has been established. The best strategy for management of hyperosmolar coma with CAPD patients is changing CAPD therapy to HD. Recently, we experienced two cases of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma in diabetic CAPD patients successfully treated with intravenous hydration and insulin therapy without discontinuing CAPD therapy. Because no such case has been reported, we report two cases of diabetic hyperosmolar coma with CAPD treated without conversion to HD. These cases suggest that adequate fluid replacement accompanying electrolytes and osmotic balance as well as insulin therapy might be a major role for safe treatment of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma in patient with CAPD.
Coma* ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Renal Dialysis

Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous tear through all the layers of the left lateral wall of the esophagus just above the diaphragm, produced by a sudden increase in esophageal pressure. Boerhaave's syndrome is a rare but grave syndrome, with a mortality rate around 40%. Most affected patients are middle-aged men who experience violent vomiting after heavy eating or alcohol intake or both. Vomiting followed by the abrupt onset of pain, dyspnea, and/or shock are the major symptoms. The most important diagnostic tool may be an upright chest X-ray. However, esophagograms and/or a chest CT may be required to locate the lesion. The management of esophagopleural fistula must be individualized, and both the patient's condition and the specific characteristics of the fistula must be considered. Successful management of patients must include adequate nutritional support and effective therapy of the associated empyema. A case of esophagopleural fistula complicated by Boerhaave's syndrome, which was successfully treated by endoscopic injection of Histoacryl , in herein reported.
Diaphragm ; Dyspnea ; Eating ; Empyema ; Enbucrilate* ; Esophagus ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Nutritional Support ; Shock ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting

There are limited data on the duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory specimens after resolution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated symptoms/signs. We determined duration of SARS-CoV-2 virus shedding in symptomatic patients after remission of symptoms. We investigated the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs or sputum or saliva. Six patients were included in the final analysis. The median (range) duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral detection after hospitalization was 34 days (22 to 67). After resolution of symptoms/signs, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected for median (range) of 26 days (9 to 48). Among the six patients, one had persistent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA until day 67 of hospitalization, which was 30 days after symptom resolution. This case represents the longest duration of SARS-CoV-2 detection, and highlights the need for long-term follow up of COVID-19 patients despite resolution of symptoms to confirm SARS-CoV-2 clearance.

BACKGROUND: We developed an ethanol extract of peanut sprouts (EPS), a peanut sprout-derived natural product, which contains a high level of trans-resveratrol (176.75 microg/ml) and was shown to have potent antioxidant activity. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the potential anti-inflammatory activity of EPS by measuring its antioxidant potential in skin. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of EPS was tested using two models of skin inflammation: oxazolone (OX)-induced contact dermatitis in mice and compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells. As biomarkers of skin inflammation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were measured. RESULTS: OX-induced contact dermatitis was suppressed markedly in mice that were treated with an ointment containing 5% EPS as evidenced by a decrease in the extent of scaling and thickening (p<0.05) and supported by a histological study. COX-2 (messenger RNA [mRNA] and protein) and NGF (mRNA) levels, which were upregulated in the skin of OX-treated mice, were suppressed markedly in the skin of OX+EPS-treated mice. Consistent with this, compound 48/80-induced expression of COX-2 (mRNA and protein) and NGF (mRNA) in HaCaT cells were suppressed by EPS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. As an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaB protein levels were dose-dependently upregulated by EPS. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis revealed that EPS scavenged compound 48/80-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION: EPS exerts a potent anti-inflammatory activity via its anti-oxidant activity in both mouse skin and compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells in vitro. Compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells are a useful new in vitro model of skin inflammation.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Ethanol* ; Flow Cytometry ; Inflammation ; Mice* ; Nerve Growth Factor ; NF-kappa B ; Oxazolone ; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA ; Skin

The osteochondroma is a cartilage-capped exostosis resulting from an error in the regulation of normal chondrocyte proliferation and maturation that leads to a normal bone growth. Although exostoses are benign lesions, they are often associated with characteristic progressive skeletal deformities and may cause clinical symptoms. Surgery can prevent progression and provide correction for certain deformities. We experienced a rare case of solitary osteochondroma in a 21-year-old male which caused the valgus deformity of the ankle.
Ankle* ; Bone Development ; Chondrocytes ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Exostoses ; Fibula* ; Humans ; Joints* ; Male ; Osteochondroma* ; Young Adult

As the radiotherapy technique development, the needs for using of medical electronic chart in the department of radiation oncology is growing. However, the complexity of affairs of radiation oncology make it difficult to develop a electronic medical chart. In this study, we introduce the electronic medical chart developed by domestic hospital. The function and example of electronic medical chart designed as radiation treatment progress was showed and the future study was presented.
Electronics ; Electrons ; Radiation Oncology

As the radiotherapy technique development, the needs for using of medical electronic chart in the department of radiation oncology is growing. However, the complexity of affairs of radiation oncology make it difficult to develop a electronic medical chart. In this study, we introduce the electronic medical chart developed by domestic hospital. The function and example of electronic medical chart designed as radiation treatment progress was showed and the future study was presented.
Electronics ; Electrons ; Radiation Oncology