No Abstract Available.
Brucella abortus* ; Brucella* ; Immunity, Humoral* ; Jeju-do* ; Recombinant Proteins*

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hazardous drinking (HD) and its association with sociodemographic factors, smoking, social anxiety, self-esteem, and ego-resiliency in medical students. Methods: A total of 408 medical students were included in this study. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire, and HD was assessed by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The HD and non-HD group were defined using the AUDIT score 10 for male and 6 for female as a cut-off, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine the impact of sociodemographic factors, smoking, social anxiety, self-esteem, and ego-resiliency on HD. Results: A total of 192 participants (47.1%) were identified as having HD. Frequency of smoking and the severity of social anxiety were significantly higher in HD group than non-HD group. Meanwhile, the levels of self-esteem and egoresiliency were significantly lower than HD group than non-HD group. In multiple logistic regression, smoking was associated with a higher risk of HD, whereas ego-resiliency and age were associated with a lower risk of HD. Compared to the high level of subjective socioeconomic status, both middle and low level were associated with a lower risk of HD. Conclusions HD among medical students was quite common and associated with smoking, ego-resiliency, age, and level of subjective socioeconomic status. Strong efforts to improve smoking cessation and ego-resiliency, as well as education for HD in medical schools, is needed to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol.

Acute cerebral infarctions are rare in children, however, they can occur as a complication of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection due to direct invasion, vasculitis, or a hypercoagulable state. We report on the case of a 5-year-old boy who had an extensive stroke in multiple cerebrovascular territories 10 days after the diagnosis of MP infection. Based on the suspicion that the cerebral infarction was associated with a macrolide-resistant MP infection, the patient was treated with levofloxacin, methyl-prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and enoxaparin. Despite this medical management, cerebral vascular narrowing progressed and a decompressive craniectomy became necessary for the patient's survival. According to laboratory tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical manifestations, the cerebral infarction in this case appeared to be due to the combined effects of hypercoagulability and cytokineinduced vascular inflammation.
Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Diagnosis ; Enoxaparin ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Levofloxacin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Stroke ; Thrombophilia ; Thrombosis ; Vasculitis

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)- has a large variety of biological functions, including the modulation of inflammation and the immune system, and is presumed to play important roles in repairing wounds and reducing scarring. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of TGF-1 on healing wounds and reducing scarring. We have also analysed the ability of the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) liposome mediated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to specifically inhibit wound-induced expressions of TGF-1 proteins and mRNA in the rat skin. METHODS: Skin wounds were created on the backs of 80 anesthetized rats. The first group of wounds, as the controls, was unmanipulated. The second group of wounds, as positive controls or an excessive scarring model, was injected with TGF-1 subcutaneously. The third group of wounds was injected with anti-TGF-1 antibody subcutaneously. The fourth group of wounds was injected with HVJ liposome mediated antisense ODNs for TGF-1 subcutaneously. The wounds of all groups were bisected and analysed histologically 5, 10, 15, 30, and 50 days after the wounds were made. RESULTS: All control wounds (TGF-1 or no injection) healed with scarring, whereas the wounds treated with the antibody or antisense ODNs healed with less scar formation compared to the control group. The wounds treated with the antibody or antisense ODNs had fewer macrophages, less collagen and fibronectin contents than the other wounds. Northern blotting and in situ hybridization analysis showed that wound sites treated with HVJ liposome mediated antisense ODNs for TGF-1 exhibited decreased levels of TGF-1 mRNA after injury. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an important new approach to controlling scarring in normal wound healing, complementing the practice of adding exogenous growth factors to chronic wounds in the attempt to inhibit collagen deposition.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Cicatrix* ; Collagen ; Complement System Proteins ; Fibronectins ; Genetic Therapy* ; Immune System ; In Situ Hybridization ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Liposomes ; Macrophages ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; Oligoribonucleotides ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Sendai virus ; Skin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

Acute hypoglycemia in children is not an uncommon disease that can be encountered in the Emergency Department. Most cases of childhood hypoglycemia are caused by ketotic hypoglycemia due to missed meals. Often, hypoketotic hypoglycemia can also occur, which suggests hyperinsulinemia or a defect in fatty acid oxidation. Carnitine is essential for long chain fatty acids transfer into mitochondria for oxidation. We present a case of systemic primary carnitine deficiency who presented with seizures due to hypoketotic hypoglycemia.

Acute hypoglycemia in children is not an uncommon disease that can be encountered in the Emergency Department. Most cases of childhood hypoglycemia are caused by ketotic hypoglycemia due to missed meals. Often, hypoketotic hypoglycemia can also occur, which suggests hyperinsulinemia or a defect in fatty acid oxidation. Carnitine is essential for long chain fatty acids transfer into mitochondria for oxidation. We present a case of systemic primary carnitine deficiency who presented with seizures due to hypoketotic hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the analytical performance of Barozen H (i-SENS Inc., Korea), a new glucometer equipped with networking function for medical institutions, according to the ISO 15197:2003 and ISO/DIS 15197:2011 guidelines. METHODS: We measured the precision of 10 Barozen H glucometers, in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision, and determined their accuracy relative to that of automatic chemistry analyzer AU5421 (Beckman Coulter, USA). Three other glucometers-Precision PCx (Abbott, USA), Glucocard Sigma (Arkray, Japan), and SureStep Flexx (Johnson & Johnson, USA) were also evaluated, and their accuracies and hematocrit interferences were compared. RESULTS: The standard deviation and coefficient of variation of Barozen H for repeatability and intermediate precision were 0.11-0.15 mmol/L and 2.3-3.6%, respectively. With respect to accuracy, in accordance with ISO 15197:2003 criteria, Barozen H yielded 98.0% of results within +/-0.83 mmol/L or +/-20%. Further, per the ISO/DIS 15197:2011 criteria, 95.2% of results were within +/-0.83 mmol/L or +/-15%; Barozen H was the only glucometer satisfying the more stringent ISO/DIS 15197:2011 criteria. Error grid analysis showed that all results from Barozen H were in zone A, indicating its excellent clinical accuracy. Hematocrit, ranging from 20% to 60% did not cause any significant interference. CONCLUSIONS: Barozen H showed excellent analytical performance, and it was the most clinically accurate glucometer tested. It can be expected to provide reliable results satisfying ISO/DIS 15197:2011 as well as ISO 15197:2003 criteria.
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ; Blood Glucose* ; Chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Glucose Oxidase ; Hematocrit ; Point-of-Care Systems

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the analytical performance of Barozen H (i-SENS Inc., Korea), a new glucometer equipped with networking function for medical institutions, according to the ISO 15197:2003 and ISO/DIS 15197:2011 guidelines. METHODS: We measured the precision of 10 Barozen H glucometers, in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision, and determined their accuracy relative to that of automatic chemistry analyzer AU5421 (Beckman Coulter, USA). Three other glucometers-Precision PCx (Abbott, USA), Glucocard Sigma (Arkray, Japan), and SureStep Flexx (Johnson & Johnson, USA) were also evaluated, and their accuracies and hematocrit interferences were compared. RESULTS: The standard deviation and coefficient of variation of Barozen H for repeatability and intermediate precision were 0.11-0.15 mmol/L and 2.3-3.6%, respectively. With respect to accuracy, in accordance with ISO 15197:2003 criteria, Barozen H yielded 98.0% of results within +/-0.83 mmol/L or +/-20%. Further, per the ISO/DIS 15197:2011 criteria, 95.2% of results were within +/-0.83 mmol/L or +/-15%; Barozen H was the only glucometer satisfying the more stringent ISO/DIS 15197:2011 criteria. Error grid analysis showed that all results from Barozen H were in zone A, indicating its excellent clinical accuracy. Hematocrit, ranging from 20% to 60% did not cause any significant interference. CONCLUSIONS: Barozen H showed excellent analytical performance, and it was the most clinically accurate glucometer tested. It can be expected to provide reliable results satisfying ISO/DIS 15197:2011 as well as ISO 15197:2003 criteria.
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ; Blood Glucose* ; Chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Glucose Oxidase ; Hematocrit ; Point-of-Care Systems

No abstract available.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Hydronephrosis*

No abstract available.
Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Pregnancy