BACKGROUND: Mycobacterial culture is a confirmatory test to detect M.tuberculosis, but it takes at least 6 weeks to diagnose. PCR is a rapid and sensitive method, but it is known that PCR has a high false positive rate due to contamination, and a high false negative rate due to inhibitors. It is also known that LCR and PCR-Hybridization, recently developed methods, are more specific methods than PCR in terms of detection M.tuberculosis. In this study, we estimated the clinical utility of in house PCR, LCR and PCR-Hybridization for the detection of M.tuberculosis. METHODS: We evaluated 75 specimens, upon which M.tuberculosis culture based testing was requested, by PCR LCR, and PCR-Hybridization and compared results. Mycobacterial culture was performed on 3% Ogawa media for 8 weeks, and an in house PCR, LCx Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay kit(Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, III) and the AMPLICOR M.tuberculosis test kit(Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Branchburg, NJ, USA). RESULTS: In the view of the culture results, the sensitivities of the three tests were 40%, 80%, and 100% and their specificities were 98.6%, 94.3%, and 94.3%. CONCLUSION: LCR and PCR-Hybridization and rapid and sensitive methods for detecting M.tuberculosis in clinical laboratories.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Tuberculosis*

PURPOSE: Peyronie's disease is characterized by the presence of one or more fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea or intercavernous septum, that is a slowly evolving disease which may cause a bending of the penis as well as pain during erection. Despite its self-limiting nature in many patients, a few patients will eventually require therapies if deformity or impotence is severe and conservative cares have failed. Currently numerous surgical and non-surgical therapies have been used for Peyronie`s disease. In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of oral medication in the treatment of Peyronie`s disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 123 patients with Peyronie`s disease treated with oral medication in the period of 1991-1997. 20 patients were observed without medication. 23 patients were treated with oral prednisolone, 22 patients with oral vitamin E, 40 patients with oral prednisolone and vitamin E, and 18 patients with potassium p-aminobenzoate(Potaba). RESULTS: Age distribution of patients was 23-84 years(mean: 51.4 years). Chief complaints were curvature of the penis during erection for 82% of the patients, painful erection for 66%, and problems with sexual intercourse for 34%. Average size of the plaques was 6.25cm2. The average duration of symptoms was 12.5 months. With prednisolone, curvature of penis during erection, plaques and painful erection were improved 55.6%, 57.1% and 86.7% respectively. With vitamin E, clinical results were reported 65.0%, 66.7% and 73.3% and with prednisolone and vitamin E 70.9%, 79.5% and 78.6% and with Potaba 81.3%, 82.4% and 90.9%. No patients with sexual dysfunction experienced improved sexual function. No serious side effects were observed in any of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: With these results, it can be concluded that the distressing symptoms of Peyronie`s disease can be treated with oral agents. Oral medication therapy may be a safe, noninvasive therapeutic alternative treatment method in patients with Peyronie`s disease but further studies were need to evaluate the effectiveness compared with intralesional injection therapy or surgery for Peyronie`s disease.
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; Age Distribution ; Coitus ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Male ; Penile Induration* ; Penis ; Potassium ; Prednisolone ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

This study was designed to evaluate the partially purified antigens which were fractionated from crude extract of Paragonimus westermani and to monitor the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in experimental cat paragonimiasis during the course of infection as well as before and after chemotherapy. Crude extract of 6-month-old adult P. westermani was fractionated to 5 antigens by successive applications of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. And the cats, 10 in each group, were infected with 60, 30, 15, and 5 metacercariae, then the half of each group was treated with praziquantel 2 times in one day of 100 mg per kilogram of weight on 150 days after the infection. Sera were collected every 10 days. ELISA was performed with the concentration of 2 microgram/ml antigen, 100 times diluted sera and 1,000 times diluted alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-cat IgG. The results were as follows: Absorbance by ELISA with proteins precipitated by differential concentration of ammonium sulfate was the highest at 51-65 per cent precipitate (PA2), followed by 0-50 per cent precipitate (PA1), 66-80 per cent precipitate (PA3), and 81-90 precipitate (PA4). Unprecipitated protein over 90 per cent ammonium sulfate (PA5) showed the lowest antigenicity. Fractionation of PA1, PA2, and PA3 through the DEAE-cellulose column did not differentiate the antigenic proteins. By passing through the Sephadex G-200 column, PAl and PA2 were fractionated to high molecular weight proteins and those of low molecular weight which showed high absorbance by ELISA (PA1-I, II and PA2- I, II). But PA3 was shown to have a fraction of high molecular weight proteins (PA3-I) which showed high antigenicity. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PA1-I, PA1-II, PA2-I, PA2-II, PA3-I, and crude extract was performed. Fraction PA1-I was composed of proteins which had the molecular weight of 270 kilodaltons (KD) to 196 KD; of them 220 KD protein was major band. Fraction PA2- I was composed of 255-225 KD, and PA3-I, 255-240 KD, respectively. Fraction PA1-II and fraction PA2-II consisted of 30 KD proteins. Absorbance by ELISA began to increase within 10-20 days after the infection and reached the highest on 140-180 days, then made plateau thereafter. Absorbance by ELISA decreased after praziquantel treatment. In 60 metacercariae infection group, the absorbance had been decreasing, but remained within the positive range during observation period, while those of 30, 15, and 5 metacercariae infection groups turned to negative range. Fraction PA1-II showed the highest antigenicity in ELISA, then fraction PA2-I, fraction PA1-I , fraction PA2-II, fraction PA3-I and crude extract followed. In early phase of infection, the absorbance of fraction PA1-II showed more rapid increase than those of the other fractions and it came to positive range at 20-30 days after infection.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; immunology ; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ; Paragonimus westermani ; antigen

PURPOSE: To evaluate the spherical aberrations of the anterior and posterior surfaces of normal corneas using Pentacam in a Korean sample population and determine their ranges and changes with age. METHODS: We used Pentacam (Oculus Inc.,Germany) to measure the anterior and posterior corneal spherical aberrations of 240 eyes in 240 patients with normal corneas who visited our clinic. The means and ranges of spherical aberrations and their changes with age were determined. We examined both eyes of 90 patients to confirm the inter-ocular symmetry in spherical aberration. RESULTS: The mean age of the 240 patients (M:F=103:137) was 49.8 years (range: 20-79), and the mean spherical aberrations of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea were 0.230+/-0.078 micrometer, and -0.04+/-0.021 micrometer, respectively. The mean total corneal spherical aberration was 0.19+/-0.087 micrometer. There were no differences between males and females, and inter-ocular symmetry was observed in all tested patients. There was a tendency for the values of anterior, posterior and total corneal spherical aberration to increase with age. Ranges of spherical aberrations were from -0.177 micrometer to 0.423 micrometer in the anterior cornea, from -0.083 micrometer to 0.034 micrometer in the posterior cornea, and from -0.238 micrometer to 0.410 micrometer in the total cornea. CONCLUSIONS: In a Korean population, the mean total corneal spherical aberration was 0.19 micrometer, which was shown to increase with age. Some patients were shown to have an extreme value. Based on these results, a preoperative analysis for corneal spherical aberration may be helpful when selecting aspheric intraocular lenses.
Cataract ; Cornea ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Male

PURPOSE:To report 2 cases of corneal melting and corneal melting with descemetocele that occurred in users of cosmetic contact lenses. CASE SUMMARY: A-12-year-old and a 13-year-old female who used cosmetic contact lenses were referred to our clinic under the preliminary diagnosis of keratitis and corneal melting. The patients had purchased the lenses from an optician and had worn the lenses for approximately 1 month without being educated on their proper use. The signs and symptoms improved after 2 weeks of treatment with oral steroid and 1% topical prednisolone acetate. However, descemetocele occurred in the 12-year-old patient. Reepithelization of the cornea had been completed within the treatment period. However, corneal thinning with mild opacity remained in the lesions, and the best corrected visual acuities on the Snellen chart were 20/30 in both patients.
Adolescent ; Child ; Contact Lenses ; Cornea ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Freezing ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Prednisolone ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVES: Monitoring viability of flap is important. The flap survival depends on the vascularity of the flap, on which the skin temperature depends. The authors applied digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) for monitoring the vascular supply of the flap and for the prediction of the prognosis of the flap survival. METHODS: Eight male New Zealand white rabbits with average weight of 3kg were used. A 10 x 10 cm unipedicled fasciocutaneous island flap was elevated based on the left superficial inferior epigastric vessel. The surface temperatures on designed flap were checked with DITI for 24 hours after the operation. On 14th day after the operation, the surviving area was measured and compared with DITI image which was taken on 24 hours after the operation using digital analysis software ImageJ. Statistical analysis was evaluated by paired T-test. RESULTS: On DITI image 24 hours after the flap elevation, distal portion of the flap showed remarkable color change. The average percentage and the standard deviation of the survival area of the flap which is predicted by DITI and the average percentage and the standard deviation of the survival area of the flap which was actually measured 2 weeks after flap elevation were 55.3 (16.6), 56.2 (18.0), respectively. This shows no significant difference between the two. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that DITI system could be used in evaluation of flap vascularity with ease, quickness and safety for patient and flap. Thus, it could be used clinically for the prediction of flap survival.
Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Rabbits ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin*

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be propagated in vitro on feeder layers of mouse STO fibroblast cells. The STO cells secrete several cytokines that are essential for ESCs to maintain their undifferentiated state. In this study, we found significant growth inhibition of mouse ESCs (mESCs) cultured on STO cells infected with adenovirus containing a dominant-negative mutant form of IkappaB (rAd-dnIkappaB). This blockage of the NF-kappaB signal pathway in STO cells led to a significant decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation and colony formation of mESCs. Expression profile of cytokines secreted from the STO cells revealed an increase in the bone morphogenetic protein4 (BMP4) transcript level in the STO cells infected with adenoviral vector encoding dominant negative IkappaB (rAd-dnIkappaB). These results suggested that the NF-kappaB signaling pathway represses expression of BMP4 in STO feeder cells. Conditioned medium from the rAd-dnIkappaB-infected STO cells also significantly reduced the colony size of mESCs. Addition of BMP4 prevented colony formation of mESCs cultured in the conditioned medium. Our finding suggested that an excess of BMP4 in the conditioned medium also inhibits proliferation of mESCs.
Animals ; *Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Differentiation/genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; *Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology/metabolism ; *Feeder Cells/cytology/metabolism ; *Fibroblasts/cytology/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation/genetics ; *I-kappa B Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Mice ; Mutation ; NF-kappa B/genetics/metabolism ; Signal Transduction

A case of neurenteric cyst within the cervical canal is reported. He has been suffered from gradual aggravated quardriparesis since 4 months. On spine C-T scan and cervical myelographic examination, intradural extramedullary mass was detected. And so total laminectomy of C4, C5 and C6 was performed. We could diagnose by the pathological findings.
Laminectomy ; Neural Tube Defects* ; Spinal Canal* ; Spine

PURPOSE: There have been few reports about the endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) in elderly patients and its efficacy and safety are not well-known. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of ECTR using Agee technique in patients older than 65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2000 to January 2007, thirty-five patients (42 hands) who underwent ECTR using Agee technique were enrolled. The average age of the patients was 67.2 years (range, 65-71 years). The duration of symptoms averaged 10 months (range, 6-33 months). For evaluation of the clinical outcomes, physical examination and subjective assessment of the hand function using the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire were performed at postoperative 1-year follow-up and compared with those obtained at preoperative evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range, 12-24 months). RESULTS: There were no neurovascular injury and scar tenderness. At postoperative 1-year follow-up, paresthesia, numbness, Phalen's sign, tinel sign, two point discrimation, and grip power were significantly improved compared with those obtained at preoperation. According to the Boston questionnaire, symptom severity score improved from 3.43 preoperatively to 1.89 postoperatively, and functional status score improved from 3.18 preoperatively to 2.21 postoperatively (p<0.05). Thenar atrophy still remained in 32 hands (76.2%). CONCLUSION: Although thenar atrophy did not improve in many cases, symptom severity and functional status scores improved in most patients treated with ECTR. The single portal ECTR is a safe and efficacious treatment option in elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Aged ; Atrophy ; Boston ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Paresthesia ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia causes an increase in extracellular potassium ([K+]e) through activation of the KATP channel. This increase in [K+]e could result in neuronal depolarization and a reversal of the glutamate uptake system in glia. This may further contribute to the excessive concentrations of glutamate and asparate in the extracellular space during ischemia. If the early rise in [K+]e during ischemia could be attenuated, less excitotoxic neuronal damage may be the result. However, activation of KATP channels has been shown to attenuate the anoxia induced depolarization in the hippocampus and may reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters during cerebral ischemia. In this study, we address the question of whether KATP channel modulation affects [K+]e and whether it is related with extracellular glutamate concentrations. METHODS: After approval by the Animal Care and Use Committee, 18 New Zealand white rabbits were anesthetized with halothane and mechanically ventilated to maintain normocarbia. Microdialysis catheters were inserted into the left dorsal hippocampus and perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid at 2 ml/min. K+ sensitive microelectrodes were inserted into the contralateral hippocampus. A pneumatic tourniquet was placed loosely around the neck. Animals were randomized to receive glibenclamide (n=5, KATP blocker, 3.7 mg/kg) or cromakalim (n=5, KATP opener, 0.5 mg/kg). The control group (n=6) had neither drug. Ten-minute period of global cerebral ischemia was produced by inflation of the tourniquet combined with induced hypotension. Hippocampal [K+]e was measured throughout the periischemic period and glutamate concentrations in dialysate were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Peak levels were compared by ANOVA. RESULTS: Glutamate concentration significantly increased during ischemia period for all groups (p<0.05). In glibenclamide treated animals, brain glutamate concentration increased markedly during early reperfusion (t=I+15) compared to other groups (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences on ischemia-induced increases in [K+]e among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although it was not possible to demonstrate an effect of modulators of the ATP sensitive K+ channel on [K+]e, glibenclamide increased glutamate during reperfusion. This paradoxical increase in glutamate after administration of a K+ channel blocker suggests that the mechanism of glutamate release is not related to [K+]e change.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Catheters ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cromakalim ; Extracellular Space ; Glutamic Acid* ; Glyburide ; Halothane ; Hippocampus* ; Hypotension ; Inflation, Economic ; Ischemia* ; KATP Channels ; Microdialysis ; Microelectrodes ; Neck ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Potassium ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion ; Tourniquets