Forty patients(9 male and 31 female) with tsutsugamushi disease were evaluated clinically. The diagnosis of tsutsugamushi disease was confirmed by indirect immunofluoresent test or isolation of causative agent. More than 77% of patients were over 40 years of age. After the incubation period(5 to 13 days, average 8 days) symptoms developed suddenly. The frequent symtoms were fever(100%), chill(100%), headache(100%), rnalaise(97%), and myalgia(95%). On physical exammination the rash, eschar, and lymphadenopathy were found in 97%, 82%, and 67% respectively. Eschar was observed in the trunk, especially axillary, abdominal and inguinal area. Serum transarninase(SGOT snd SGPT) was elevated(89 and 87%). Urinalysis revealed proteinuria in 35%(12/34) and hematuria in 19%(7/36). Chest roentgram and ECG demonstrated abnormalities in 39%(14/36) and 73%(26/36) respectively, The treatment with doxycycline was very effective in all cases.
Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Electrocardiography ; Exanthema ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Proteinuria ; Scrub Typhus* ; Thorax ; Urinalysis

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pityriasis* ; Tinea Versicolor* ; Treatment Outcome*

Thrombomodulin (TM) is thrombin receptor present on the luminal surface of endothelial cells. Because the thrombin-TM complex acts as an anticoagulant, the functional variants or deficiency of TM may lead to increment of thrombotic tendency. In this study, we screened the genetic variants of the TM gene in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and analyzed the genotype to elucidate the effects of genetic variations of TM gene on the development of the MI. We screened a promoter region and coding sequence of the TM gene using single strand conformation polymorphism-heteroduplex analysis and identified three common genetic variants: those were TM G-33A, TM Ala455Val, and TM C1922T. The genotype frequencies were investigated in the patients with MI (n=234) and control subjects (n=291) by the method of allele-specific oligomer hybridization. The frequencies of mutant genotypes (TM -33A, TM 455Val, and TM 1922T) were higher in patient group compared to the control subjects in males while there were no significant differences in females. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, TM 455Val and TM 1922T alleles were independent risk factors for MI (OR[95% CI: 1.799[1.125-2.878] p=0.014 and 5.624[1.019-31.025], p=0.048, respectively) in males. However, the genetic variations were not independent risk factors for MI in females. There were significant linkage disequilibriums among three genetic variants. These linkage disequilibriums explain the similar effects of three genetic variants on the development of MI. To investigate the effect of the TM G-33A mutation on TM promoter activity, the two TM promoter constructs (pTM-355 and pTM-125, bearing TM -33G or TM -33A) containing of firefly luciferase gene were transfected into HepG2, BAE, and CHO cells. The promoter activities were higher in the promoter constructs with TM -33G compared to the constructs with TM -33A in pTM-355. These results suggest the possibility of the positive predisposing effect of TM -33A allele on MI in males. The functional study for TM Ala455Val and TM C1922T should be followed to elucidate the genotype effects of these mutations on the development of MI. In this study, we identified three genetic variants of TM gene and showed the significant associations between genetic variants and MI in males. These results proposed that TM gene is an attractive candidate for genetic risk factor for MI in Koreans.
Alleles ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Clinical Coding ; Cricetinae ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Fireflies ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Logistic Models ; Luciferases ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phenobarbital ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Receptors, Thrombin ; Risk Factors* ; Thrombomodulin

Juxtaductal coarctation is usually distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery, occasionally the orifice of the subclavian artery is involved in the coarctation and partially obstructed. An anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment is also occasionally encountered. Reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery arising at or below a coarctation may produce the subclavian steal syndrome. Rarely both subclavian arteries arise beyond the coarctation. These abnormal subclavian arteries are important in clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of Turner syndrome with coarctation, which present as juxtaductal type and the left subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment with reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery producing the subclavian steal syndrome. Resecton of coarctation segment and end-to-end anastomosis was successfully performed after transfer of left subclavian artery to distal segment of descending aorta.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Coarctation ; Diagnosis ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome* ; Turner Syndrome* ; Vertebral Artery

BACKGROUND: When one of family members must be treated, the others are required to get various forms of changes including modification of their proper roles in the family. Particularily when he or she can not perform his or her activities of daily living(ADL) owing to functional impairment by himself or herself, there seems to be greater dependence upon his or her family. Accordingly, we tried to give help in the treatment of patients through the comparative analysis concerning functional impairment in both groups on the assumption that there is difference of family function between two family groups which have a patient in family, or not. METHODS: This study was carried out to 83 inpatients in Sun Hospital in Dae Jeon and local rehabilitation clinics in Iksan from 1. July. 1995 to 31. Jun. 1996. We evaluated activites of daily living by using modified Barthel Index(MBI) and classified them into dependent group with 60 points or less(6roup I ), and independent group with more than 60 points(Group II). We also used Family APGAR score and FACES III to evaluate their family functions. RESULTS: MBI scores to evaluate ADL were 42.9+/-15.6 in Group I and 82.1+/-17.9 in Group II. Family APGAR scores were 6.93+/-2.52 in Group I and 7.24+/-17.9 in Group II but there was no significance between two groups. Types of family according to Family APGAR score were highly functional, morderate dysfunctional, and severly dysfunctional one in order of frequency in both groups, but there was no significance in their frequencies in both groups. Types of Family in view of cohesion was disengaged, separated, connected, and enmeshed one in order of frequency in Group I, and separated, disengaged, connected, and enmeshed one in order of frequency in Group II but there was no significance between two groups. Types of family in view of adaptability were rigid, chaotic structured,and flexible one in order of frequency in Group I, and were flexible, structured, rigid, and chaotic one in orders in Group II, which showed significance between two groups. Extremal types of family structure were large in numbers in Group I, but it didnt show significance. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming that there were large numbers of rigid and chaotic family in Group I, it is considered that tne family which has a patient with severely impaired function seems to have weaker adaptability to their family stresses than otherwise. Therefore, it is desirable that physicians who take charge of such patients provide continuous and comprehensive medical care for them including their family with greater concerns and through analysis and assessment of their family functions.
Activities of Daily Living ; Apgar Score ; Daejeon ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Jeollabuk-do ; Rehabilitation* ; Solar System

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to understand the meaning of experience on community health centers (post) practice of nursing students. METHODS: This is qualitative research using focus groups. Data were collected through in-depth interviews performed from November 10 to December 11, 2009. The focus group interviews were conducted to 22 nursing students on their subjective experiences. The data were analyzed by the Colaizzi's method, in which the meaningful statements were extracted. RESULTS: Seven theme-clusters were identified from fourteen themes and thirty-one sub-themes. The seven theme-clusters were 1) widening of experiences; 2) feeling of warm heart; 3) feeling of satisfaction; 4) feeling of being unfulfilled; 5) difficulties; 6) new awareness; and 7) good memories. CONCLUSION: Through a variety of relationships and self-regulation in community health centers (post) practice, the nursing students may have the feeling of worthiness, new awareness of community nursing, and visions for the future to rebuild.
Community Health Centers* ; Focus Groups ; Heart ; Humans ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing ; Self-Control

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis(CRP) is still unknown, although many theories have been suggested. It is stressed that abnormal host response to colonization of pityrosporum orbiculare might play a role in the pathogenesis of CRP, but is not completely understood. Frequently, we have observed bacterial colonies in the stratum corneum and, especially, within the hair follicles from biopsy specimens of patients with CRP. In addition, successful treatment for CRP with minocycline, a derivative of tetracyclines, has been reported continuously. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to document the possible association of bacterial factors in the pathogenesis of CRP and to elucidate the effectiveness of minocycline. METHODS: We performed Brown and Brenn gram staining in 12 biopsy specimens, bacterial cultures, identification of microorganisms and antibiotics sensitivity testing including minocycline. We administered oral minocycline with an initial dose of 100mg per day for 1 to 3 months and a maintenance dose 50mg per day for I to 2 months, then evaluated the response of treatment. RESULTS: 1. On Brown and Brenn staining, the gram positive bacterial colonies that stained dark bluish or nearly black were observed within the infundibulum of hair follicles in 10 out of 12 biopsy specimens(83.3%) and on the keratotic invagination of stratum corneum in 11 out of 12 biopsy specimens(91.7%). 2. Histological features of regions where bacterial colonies were observed showed, hyperkeratosis and keratotic invagination on the stratum corneum in all cases. Hyperkeratosis(66.7%), parakeratosis(16.7%), inflammatory cell infiltration(25.0%), perifollicular fibrosis(33.3%), and abnormal keratin in sebaceous ducts(50.0%) were shown in hair follicles. 3. In anaerobic cultures, no bacteria was grown. In aerobic cultures, staphylococcus species were identified in 6 cases, streptococcus viridans in one case, sternotrophomonas maltophilia in one case. In the susceptibiliity test, minocycline was sensitive in 7 from 8 cases. 4. The therapeutic response to minocycline was observed within one month in all cases, and the time to clear the lesions was 1/2 month in 2 cases, 1 month in 4 cases, 2 months in 5 cases, 3 months in one case, respectively. CONCLUSION: Form these results, we suggest that bacterial factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CRP and that the action mechanism of minocycline in the treatment of CRP may be due to antibacterial effects.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria* ; Biopsy ; Colon ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Minocycline ; Papilloma* ; Staphylococcus ; Tetracyclines ; Viridans Streptococci

Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a new disease entity characterized by depletion of helper T cells apparently without any evidence of HIV infection. We report a case of ICL associated with Kaposis sarcoma (KS) and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in a 34-year old woman. She developed violaceous, protruding masses on scalp, back, both extremities, palms, soles, left. first toe and peritonsillar region for 2 months. These lesions were confirmed as KS by histopathologic findings. Chest X-ray and HRCT findings represented PCP and KS. Absolute deficiency of CD4+ T cell was detected in the count of T cell subsets. Serologic tests for HIV-1, 2 and HTLV I, -II were negative. And she was absent any defined immunodeficiency or therapy associated with decreased levels of CD4+ T cells. By CDC criteria, a diagnosis of ICL was made. Because of aggravation of PCP and lung involuement of KS, she died at 22nd day after admission.
Adult ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Female ; HIV Infections ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphopenia* ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Scalp ; Serologic Tests ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer ; T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive ; Thorax ; Toes

Two cases of congenital anterior urethral diverticula which have occurred in a 4 year-old and one month-oldboys are presented. Etiology, diagnostic procedures, and its clinical results are briefly reviewed.
Diverticulum

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mirror therapy on recovery of upper limb function and strength in subacute hemiplegia after stroke. METHOD: Fourty subacute hemiplegic stroke patients (onset <6 months) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the mirror therapy (MT, n=19), or control group (n=21). MT group received mirror therapy for 30 minutes after each treatment, additionally with the traditional rehabilitation programs, 5 days per week for 4 weeks; 2 hours or more per day, 3 days or more per week. To measure the outcome, we performed the manual muscle test (MMT), manual function test (MFT) and Jarmar grip strength test. RESULTS: MT group showed significant improvements in MMT, grasp and lateral pinch force of grip strength test (p<0.05), compared to control group. Improvement in MFT was more evident in MT group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mirror therapy can be used as an adjuvant therapeutic technique for improving upper limb function and strength for subacute hemiplegia.
Hand Strength ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Muscle Strength ; Muscles ; Organometallic Compounds ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity