Background/Aims: The pathophysiology of functional abdominal bloating and distention (FABD) is unclear yet. Our aim is to compare the diversity and composition of fecal microbiota in patients with FABD and healthy individuals, and to evaluate the relationship between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and dysbiosis. Methods: The microbiota of fecal samples was analyzed from 33 subjects, including 12 healthy controls and 21 patients with FABD diagnosed by the Rome IV criteria. FABD patients underwent a hydrogen breath test. Fecal microbiota composition was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA amplification and sequencing. Results: Overall fecal microbiota composition of the FABD group differed from that of the control group. Microbial diversity was significantly lower in the FABD group than in the control group. Significantly higher proportion of Proteobacteria and significantly lower proportion of Actinobacteria were observed in FABD patients, compared with healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, significantly higher proportion of Faecalibacterium in FABD patients and significantly higher proportion of Prevotella and Faecalibacterium in SIBO (+) patients with FABD were found. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, was significantly more abundant, but Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were significantly less abundant in patients with FABD, compared with healthy controls. Significantly more abundant Prevotella copri and F. prausnitzii, and significantly less abundant B. uniformis and B. adolescentis were observed in SIBO (+) patients, compared with healthy controls. Conclusion The fecal microbiota profiles in FABD patients are different from those in healthy controls, particularly in SIBO (+) patients, suggesting a role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of FABD.

To assess the change of nitric oxide(NO) concentration according to photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) depth and the role of NO in cataractohenesis after excimer laser PRK. The treated 36 rabbits were divided into 12 groups according to PRK depth(-3.0, -7.0, -11.0 diopter [0]), the dates of sampling(the 1st day and the 7th day after PRK), and reatment of NOS inhibitor (NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester, L-NAME). NO concentration and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in the aqueous humor and malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration in the lens were measured. Changes of lens epithelium were examined by eletron microscopy on the 3rd day and the 6th day after -11.0D of PRK. The NO and MDA concentration in the group without L-NAME treatment on the 1st day after -11.0D of PRK were significantly higher than those in the L-NAME treated group and control group. The activity of SOD increased in all of the PRK treated group on the 1st day and was even higher on the 7th day. The histopathological changes of lens epithelium on the 3rd day after PRK were compatible with cellular necrosis and those of the 6th day after PRK were compatible with cellular reparing. The results suggested that the toxicity of NO after PRK correcting over -11.0D may a role in cataractogenesis, but the progress could be suppressed by treatment of NOS inhibitor.
Aqueous Humor ; Epithelium ; Lasers, Excimer ; Malondialdehyde ; Microscopy ; Necrosis ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides

Septo-optic dysplasia, named by de Morsier in 1956, includes absence of the septum pellucidum, partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, dysplasia of the anterior third ventricle, and bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia. Associated ophthalmologic disorders are nystagmus, poor vIsion, visualfield defect, astigmatism and optic nerve hyopolasia. The authors experienced a case of septo-optic dysplasia which was confirmed by MRI in 30-year-old male.
Adult ; Astigmatism ; Corpus Callosum ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Optic Nerve ; Septo-Optic Dysplasia* ; Septum Pellucidum ; Third Ventricle

Septo-optic dysplasia, named by de Morsier in 1956, includes absence of the septum pellucidum, partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, dysplasia of the anterior third ventricle, and bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia. Associated ophthalmologic disorders are nystagmus, poor vIsion, visualfield defect, astigmatism and optic nerve hyopolasia. The authors experienced a case of septo-optic dysplasia which was confirmed by MRI in 30-year-old male.
Adult ; Astigmatism ; Corpus Callosum ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Optic Nerve ; Septo-Optic Dysplasia* ; Septum Pellucidum ; Third Ventricle

Background/Aims: Low baseline impedance levels (BILs) have been suggested to be evidence of GERD. The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of esophageal BILs for the diagnosis of nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and the proper time for measurement in endoscopy-negative Korean patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms. Methods: Endoscopy-negative patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms who underwent esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring were included. BILs were measured in the proximal and distal esophagus around 10 minutes before meals, 10 minutes and 30 minutes after meals, 30 minutes before the start of nighttime sleep, and 30 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of nighttime sleep. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Distal and proximal esophageal BILs were decreased after meal ingestion. The BILs of the distal esophagus were significantly lower at all time points in the NERD group, but not in the reflux hypersensitivity (RH) group, compared with the functional group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of NERD was significant at all time points, but that for the diagnosis of RH was not. The cut-off value of 2375 Ω or 2125 Ω measured around 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after the start of nighttime sleep, respectively, were appropriate for the diagnosis of NERD. Conclusion The BILs of the distal esophagus measured at time points before or after the start of nighttime sleep appear to be useful for the diagnosis of NERD, but not for the diagnosis of RH, in endoscopy-negative Korean patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well known to be associated with serious upper gastrointestinal complications, such as peptic ulcer, bleeding, perforation, and obstruction. Recently, attention has been mainly focused on the small bowel injuries caused by NSAIDs, and new endoscopic techniques such as capsule endoscopy and double balloon endoscopy can help in detecting such injuries. This article reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of small bowel injuries caused by NSAIDs. Small bowel injures by NSAIDs might occur with a similar frequency and extent as those observed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of NSAID-induced enteropathy is complex and not clearly understood. The various lesions observed in the small bowel, including petechiae, reddened folds, loss of villi, erosions, and ulcers can be detected by capsule endoscopy. A drug that could prevent or treat NSAID-induced enteropathy has not yet been developed. Therefore, further investigations should be performed to elucidate the pathogenesis of such enteropathy and develop suitable preventive and treatment strategies.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Epidemiology ; Hemorrhage ; Peptic Ulcer ; Purpura ; Ulcer ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Probiotics are expected to modify the composition of gut microbiota. We aimed to investigate the changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota by the administration of probiotics in healthy individuals. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers with age range of 30–42 years provided baseline fecal samples. Subsequently, they took commercially available probiotic capsules (a mixture for Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus) for 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at 4 weeks of administration and 2 weeks after the stop of administration. Fecal microbiota was analyzed via 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: The mean Shannon index was not significantly altered by the 4-week administration of probiotics (4.365 vs 4.556, P > 0.05). The proportion of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria was not significantly changed by the 4-week administration of probiotics. At the genus level, the proportions of Lactobacillus (2.138% vs 2.773%, P = 0.028) and Enterococcus (0.022% vs 2.758%, P = 0.004) significantly increased 4 weeks after the administration of probiotics, but reduced 2 weeks after the stop of administration (2.773% vs 3.292%, P = 0.064 and 2.758% vs 0.001%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of fecal microbiota is not significantly affected by 4 weeks of probiotics administration. The proportion of fecal microbiota at the genus level is significantly altered by the administration of probiotics. However, this effect does not seem to last long, probably because of homeostasis or dietary influence.
Actinobacteria ; Bacteroidetes ; Bifidobacterium ; Capsules ; Enterococcus ; Firmicutes ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Healthy Volunteers ; Homeostasis ; Lactobacillus ; Microbiota ; Probiotics ; Proteobacteria ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to survey the serum anti-PRP titers after the completion of a primary series with 3 doses of the PRP-T conjugate vaccine(ACT-HIBTM), to evaluate the necessity of booster vaccination. METHODS: One hundred twenty healthy infants who went for consultations at Moon Hwa hospital between December 1999 to May 2001 were vaccinated at two, four and six months after birth. The serum antibody levels were measured at 7-8 months and 19-20 months of age by the "Farr" type of radioimmunological method at Aventis Pasteur International in France. RESULTS: The geometric mean of Anti-PRP titers were 24.6 microgram/mL at 7-8 months and then fell to 2.10 microgram/mL at 19-20 months. Minimum Anti-PRP titer was 0.75 microgram/mL at 7-8 months, and 0.1 microgram/mL at 19-20 months. Maximum Anti- PRP titer was 99.2 microgram/mL at 7-8 months, and 9.1 microgram/mL at 19-20 months. Subjects of Anti-PRP titers more than 0.15 microgram/mL were 100% at 7-8 months, and 97.0% at 19-20 months, and subjects of Anti-PRP titers more than 1.0 microgram/mL were 98.3% at 7-8 months, and 61.6% at 19-20 months. CONCLUSION: The Anti-PRP titers at 7-8 months were very high but rapidly decreased at 19-20 months of age, so the necessity of booster vaccination could be considered in Korean children.
Child ; France ; Haemophilus influenzae* ; Haemophilus* ; Humans ; Infant ; Parturition ; Referral and Consultation ; Vaccination*

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinomas are pathogenetically classified into two major types; endometrioid carcinoma (EC) and serous carcinoma (SC). The most frequently altered gene in EC is the PTEN tumor suppressor gene (TSG). SC is usually associated with mutations in the p53 TSG. METHODS: To further determine the role of PTEN and p53 mutation in endometrial carcinogenesis, the analysis of 33 endometrial carcinomas, including 28 ECs and 5 SCs, for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 10q23 and for mutation in all 9 coding exons of PTEN and the 5-8 exons of p53, using SSCP-PCR methods was carried out. RESULTS: LOH was detected in at least one marker in 12 (54.5%) of 22 ECs, but in only one (20.0%) of 5 SCs. Somatic PTEN mutations were detected in 10 (35.7%) of 28 ECs. PTEN was altered in 67.9% of ECs and in 20.0% of SCs, including those with 10q23 LOH. No PTEN mutations were found among the SCs. Somatic p53 mutations were detected in 2 (7.1%) of 28 ECs and 3 (60.0%) of 5 SCs. CONCLUSIONS: PTEN gene alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of an endometrioid subtype of endometrial carcinoma, but not to the serous type. In contrast, p53 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SCs.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; Clinical Coding ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Exons ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Loss of Heterozygosity

No abstract available.
Chlamydia trachomatis* ; Chlamydia* ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Nasal Cavity* ; Polymers* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Pregnancy*