Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have a higher burden of seizures, but few studies have examined seizures in HIV-infected individuals in Korea. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of seizures in patients with HIV infection. Among a total of 1,141 patients, 34 (3%) had seizures or epilepsy; 4 of these individuals had epilepsy before HIV infection, and the others showed new-onset seizures. Most patients exhibited moderate (200 to 500, n = 13) or low (below 200, n = 16) CD4 counts. The most common seizure etiology was progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (n = 14), followed by other HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) complications (n = 6). Imaging studies revealed brain lesions in 21 patients. A total of 9 patients experienced only one seizure during the follow-up period, and 25 patients experienced multiple seizures or status epilepticus (n = 2). Multiple seizures were more common in patients with brain etiologies (P = 0.019) or epileptiform discharges on EEG (P = 0.032). Most seizures were controlled without anticonvulsants (n = 12) or with a single anticonvulsant (n = 12). Among patients with HIV infection, seizures are significantly more prevalent than in the general population. Most seizures, with the exception of status epilepticus, have a benign clinical course and few complications.
Adult ; Aged ; Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use ; Causality ; Comorbidity ; Electroencephalography/*statistics & numerical data ; Female ; HIV Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Seizures/*diagnosis/*epidemiology/prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

Ilizarov device is a circular external skeletal fixator with crossed transfixation wires and connecting rods. Its stability depends on the tension in the wire and the spatial orientation of the fixator frame. It provides extreme versatility for correction of three dimensional complex deformities including angulation, rotation, shortening and translation. In an attempt to identify the various factors that contributed to the outcome and the complications of lengthening, we reviewed the first 19 cases of leg lengthening by the Ilizarov technique in 17 patients with leg length inequality or dwarfism. Simultaneous correction of the three dimensional deformities was also aimed at in 13 patients, and osteosynthesis of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in 2 patients. Follow-up periods averaged 1.6 years, ranging from 1 year to 2.8 years. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The amount of lengthening averaged 5.2cm, ranging from 2.0cm to 9.8cm. 2. The percentage increase was 27%, ranging from 9% to 58%. 3. The average healing index (month/cm) was 1.3months/cm and it was higher in the groups that had premature consolidation, complete osteotomy, single level corticotomy and neurologic compromise as compared with the groups that had adequate corticotomy, double level corticotomy and no neurologic complication. 4. The desired lengthening was obtained in 14 cases. Simultaneous correction of the deformities and osteosynthesis for nonunion were also achieved satisfactorily during lengthening. 5. There were sixteen cases of problems (84%), which were pin tract inflammation (7 cases), Transient senrory change (3 cases), knee joint flexion contracture (2 cases), nut breakage (2 cases). There were thirteen cases of obstacles (68%), which were equinus deformity(5 cases), premature consolidation (3 cases), pathologic fracture (3 cases), and delayed consolidation (2 cases). There was only one ture complication case. In conclusion, the Ilizarov technique was very effective for leg lengthening in children, particularly when three dimensional deformities were combined with leg length shortening. But a thorough knowledge of the Ilizarov technique and meticulous care during lengthening are mandatory to prevent the pitfalls and complications.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Dwarfism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Inflammation ; Knee Joint ; Leg Length Inequality ; Leg ; Nuts ; Osteotomy ; Pseudarthrosis ; Tibia

No abstract available.
Osteoblasts* ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor*

In this article, the statement of ethical statement about animal experiment was omitted.

Laboratory inbred mice are used widely and commonly in biomedical research, but inbred mice do not have a big enough gene pool for the research. In this study, genetic and morphometric analyses were performed to obtain data on the characteristics of a newly developing inbred strain (KWM/Hym) captured from Chuncheon, Korea. All of five Korean wild male mice have the zinc-finger Y (ZfY) gene. Also, all of 19 Korean wild mice used in this analysis have the AKV-type murine leukemia virus gene, indicating that Korean wild mice might be Mus musculus musculus. To identify the genetic polymorphism in KWM/Hym, SNP analysis was performed. In a comparison with 28 SNP markers, there was a considerable difference between KWM/Hym and several inbred strains. The homogeneity between KWM/Hym and the inbred strains was as follows: C57BL/6J (39.3%), BALB/c AJic (42.9%), and DBA/2J (50%). KWM/Hym is most similar to the PWK/PhJ inbred strain (96.4%) derived from wild mice (Czech Republic). To identify the morphometric characteristics of KWM/Hym, the external morphology was measured. The tail ratio of male and female was 79.60±3.09 and 73.55±6.14%, respectively. KWM/Hym has short and agouti-colored hairs and its belly is white with golden hair. Taking these results together, KWM/Hym, a newly developing inbred mouse originated from wild mouse, might be use as new genetic resources to overcome the limitations of the current laboratory mice.
Animals ; Female ; Gangwon-do* ; Gene Pool ; Hair ; Humans ; Korea* ; Leukemia Virus, Murine ; Male ; Mice* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tail

BACKGROUND: CD8+ T cells contribute to the clearance of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and an insufficient CD8+ T cell response may be one of the major factors leading to chronic HBV infection. Since the HBx antigen of HBV can up-regulate cellular expression of several immunomodulatory molecules, we hypothesized that HBx expression in hepatocytes might affect CD8+ T cell activity. METHODS: We analyzed the activation and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells co-cultured with primary hepatocytes rendered capable of expressing HBx by recombinant baculovirus infection. RESULTS: Expression of HBx in hepatocytes induced low production of interferon-gamma and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells, with no effect on CD8 T cell proliferation. However, transcriptional levels of H-2K, ICAM-1 and PD-1 ligand did not correlate with HBx expression in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBx may inhibit CD8+ T cell response by regulation of interferon-gamma production and apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Baculoviridae ; Cell Proliferation ; Hepadnaviridae ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatocytes ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interferon-gamma ; T-Lymphocytes ; Trans-Activators ; Viral Proteins

The present study investigated prevalence of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) resistance mutations in HIV-1-infected antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients in Korea. From 106 plasma samples, amplification and sequencing of integrase genes was performed, and major or minor mutations were calculated by the Stanford HIV drug resistance mutation interpretation algorithm. No major INSTI resistance mutations were found, and 14 minor mutations were detected in 13 (12.3%) patients. The present data support the recommendation that routine testing for INSTI resistance mutations before starting ART is not necessary.
Drug Resistance ; HIV ; Humans ; Integrases* ; Korea* ; Observational Study* ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies*

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in HIV-infected patients. We aimed to describe the prevalence of low BMD and risk factors in Korean HIV-infected patients and to assess the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on BMD. We retrospectively evaluated 224 HIV infected-patients. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis were 41.5% and 12.9%. These were much higher in 53 patients aged 50 yr and older (52.8% and 34.0%). Older age, lower body mass index, and ART > 3 months were independent risk factors for low BMD. Osteoporosis was more prevalent in patients on the abacavir-based regimen for < 1 yr than > or = 1 yr; however, it was more prevalent in patients on the zidovudine-based regimen for > or = 1 yr than < 1 yr (P = 0.017). Osteoporosis in patients on the abacavir-based regimen was more common in the spine than in the femur (P = 0.01). Given such a high prevalence of low BMD, close monitoring of BMD for HIV-infected patients on ART is required. The different prevalence of osteoporosis over time and affected areas between two regimens suggest they may play roles in different mechanisms in bone loss.
Adult ; Anti-HIV Agents/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; *Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/*epidemiology/etiology ; Dideoxynucleosides/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV Infections/*drug therapy/epidemiology/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Osteoporosis/*epidemiology/etiology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Zidovudine/adverse effects/*therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to update the prediction equations for spirometry and their lower limits of normal (LLN) by using the lambda, mu, sigma (LMS) method and to compare the outcomes with the values of previous spirometric reference equations. METHODS: Spirometric data of 10,249 healthy non-smokers (8,776 females) were extracted from the fourth and fifth versions of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV, 2007–2009; V, 2010–2012). Reference equations were derived using the LMS method which allows modeling skewness (lambda [L]), mean (mu [M]), and coefficient of variation (sigma [S]). The outcome equations were compared with previous reference values. RESULTS: Prediction equations were presented in the following form: predicted value = e {a + b × ln(height) + c × ln(age) + M − spline}. The new predicted values for spirometry and their LLN derived using the LMS method were shown to more accurately reflect transitions in pulmonary function in young adults than previous prediction equations derived using conventional regression analysis in 2013. There were partial discrepancies between the new reference values and the reference values from the Global Lung Function Initiative in 2012. CONCLUSION: The results should be interpreted with caution for young adults and elderly males, particularly in terms of the LLN for forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity in elderly males. Serial spirometry follow-up, together with correlations with other clinical findings, should be emphasized in evaluating the pulmonary function of individuals. Future studies are needed to improve the accuracy of reference data and to develop continuous reference values for spirometry across all ages.
Adult ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys ; Reference Values ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity ; Young Adult

This study investigated the possible effects and molecular mechanisms of diallyl disulfide (DADS) against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in rats. Inflammation response was assessed by histopathology and serum cytokines levels. We determined the protein expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), oxidative stress, urinary nitrite-nitrate, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Finally, we studied the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling in the protective effects of DADS against CP-induced HC. CP treatment caused a HC which was evidenced by an increase in histopathological changes, proinflammatory cytokines levels, urinary nitrite-nitrate level, and the protein expression of NF-kappaB, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-alpha, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). The significant decreases in glutathione content and glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities, and the significant increase in MDA content and urinary MDA and 8-OHdG levels indicated that CP-induced bladder injury was mediated through oxidative DNA damage. In contrast, DADS pretreatment attenuated CP-induced HC, including histopathological lesion, serum cytokines levels, oxidative damage, and urinary oxidative DNA damage. DADS also caused significantly decreased the protein expressions of NF-kappaB, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-alpha, p-JNK, and p-ERK. These results indicate that DADS prevents CP-induced HC and that the protective effects of DADS may be due to its ability to regulate proinflammatory cytokines production by inhibition of NF-kappaB and MAPKs expressions, and its potent anti-oxidative capability through reduction of oxidative DNA damage in the bladder.
Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cystitis* ; Cytokines ; DNA Damage ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Reductase ; Inflammation ; Malondialdehyde ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; NF-kappa B* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Oxidative Stress ; Phosphotransferases ; Rats* ; Transcription Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Urinary Bladder