Mycobacterium abscessus belongs to a group of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) that cause a broad spectrum of infections in humans. In addition, the association of M. abscessus with the cause of community- and hospital-acquired infections has been recently reported. In fact, M. abscessus is known to be the most drug-resistant mycobacterium and naturally resistant to first-line anti-tuberculous drugs, resulting in the limited therapeutic options and a high failure rate of treatment response. Three closely related species; M. abscessus (sensu stricto), M. bolletii, and M. massiliense are currently identified however, consensus on the naming of M. abscessus-related species has not been made to date. We herein discuss the advanced understanding of the virulence potentials and pathophysiological features of M. abscessus to establish novel therapeutic strategies for M. abscessus infection.
Consensus ; Humans ; Mycobacterium

OBJECTIVES: Asia sand dust (ASD) is known to cause various human diseases including respiratory infection. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ASD on inflammatory response in human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs) in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The mRNA levels of various genes including COX-2, TNF-a, MUC 5AC, MUC 5B, TP53, BAX, BCL-2, NOX4, and SOD1 were analyzed using semiquantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction. COX-2 protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Sprague Dawley rats were used for in vivo investigations of inflammatory reactions in the middle ear epithelium as a result of ASD injection. RESULTS: We observed dose-dependent decrease in HMEEC viability. ASD exposure significantly increased COX-2, TNF-a, MUC5AC, and MUC5B mRNA expression. Also, ASD affected the mRNA levels of apoptosis- and oxidative stress-related genes. Western blot analysis revealed a dose-dependent increase in COX-2 production. Animal studies also demonstrated an ASD-induced inflammatory response in the middle ear epithelium. CONCLUSION: Environmental ASD exposure can result in the development of otitis media.
Animals ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dust* ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mucins* ; Otitis Media ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Gangwon-do* ; Humans ; Norovirus* ; Sequence Analysis*

BACKGROUND: The precise measurement of body temperature during anesthesia is important to prevent hypothermia.The aim of this study was to compare the urinary bladder temperature to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures, and to compare three heating methods during spine surgery. METHODS: Forty-two patients with ASA physical status I-II, who were scheduled to undergo spine surgery in the prone position, were included in this study.The patients were randomly divided into 4 groups:Group I was treated without any heating methods; group 2, with fluid-warmers; group 3, with forced air-warmers; and group 4, with a combination of both heating methods.After the induction of anesthesia, the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal, urinary bladder and skin temperature was monitored every 15 minute for 3 hours.The urinary bladder temperature was compared to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures. RESULTS: The urinary bladder temperature was found to be higher than the esophageal and the nasopharyngeal temperatures (P < 0.01).The urinary bladder temperature of group 3 was higher than that of group 1 at 180 minutes after induction of anesthesia (P < 0.05).The urinary bladder temperature of group 4 was higher than that of group 1 at 150 minutes (P < 0.05), as well as at 165 and 180 minutes (P < 0.05).The skin temperatures of groups 3 and 4 were higher than group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary bladder temperature was higher than the esophageal temperature and correlated with the esophageal, nasopharyngeal and rectal temperatures.During spine surgery in the prone position, a forced air-warmer was found to be the most effective but a combination of all the methods tested was found to be even more effective.
Anesthesia ; Body Temperature ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Prone Position ; Skin ; Skin Temperature ; Spine ; Urinary Bladder

We report a rare case of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium terrae in a previously healthy woman. A 45-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a chronic cough with sputum. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed bronchiolitis in conjuction with bronchiectasis in both lungs. Nontuberculous mycobacteria were identified and isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from each lung. All isolates were identified as M. terrae by various molecular methods that characterized the rpoB and hsp65 gene sequences. Antibiotic therapy using clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol improved the patient's condition and successfully resulted in sputum conversion.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Clarithromycin ; Cough ; Ethambutol ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Rifampin ; Sputum ; Thorax

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyse the epidemiologic characteristics of burn in the elderly and to discusses a possible prevention program for this population. METHODS: A retrospective review of all medical records of elderly patients (above 60 years old) admitted with burns to the burn center of the Hanil General Hospital from January 1996 to December 2007 was carried out. Patient demographics, etiology, extent, and type of burn, seasonal variation, and mortality rates were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 537 elderly patients (mean age of 69.8 years, median age of 68 years, range 60~97 years) was admitted. The gender ratio of the patients was 1:.5 with 217 men and 320 women. The most common causes were scald burn (44.9%) and flame burn (35.4%). The average total body area burned was 13.5% (range 0~95%). Twenty six patients (4.8%) died. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, scald burns are more common in women but flame burns are more common in men. The mortality rate is higher in flame burns and men
Aged ; Burn Units ; Burns ; Demography ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

Meconium peritonitis is a non-bacterial foreign body and chemical peritonitis caused by meconium contamination resulting from bowel perforation during late intrauterine or early neonatal periods. Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of the meconium peritonitis provides the preparation for proper management and decreasing motality and morbidity of the neonate. We have experienced a case of meconium peritonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography at 34+4 gestational weeks and presented this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium* ; Peritonitis* ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

Purpose: The study aimed to identify which digital biomarkers are collected and which specific devices are used according to vulnerable and susceptible individual characteristics in a living-lab setting. Materials and Methods: A literature search, screening, and appraisal process was implemented using the Web of Science, Pubmed, and Embase databases. The search query included a combination of terms related to “digital biomarkers,” “devices that collect digital biomarkers,” and “vulnerable and susceptible groups.” After the screening and appraisal process, a total of 37 relevant articles were obtained. Results: In elderly people, the main digital biomarkers measured were values related to physical activity. Most of the studies used sensors. The articles targeting children aimed to predict diseases, and most of them used devices that are simple and can induce some interest, such as wearable device-based smart toys. In those who were disabled, digital biomarkers that measured location-based movement for the purpose of diagnosing disabilities were widely used, and most were measured by easy-to-use devices that did not require detailed explanations. In the disadvantaged, digital biomarkers related to health promotion were measured, and various wearable devices, such as smart bands and headbands were used depending on the purpose and target. Conclusion As the digital biomarkers and devices that collect them vary depending on the characteristics of study subjects, researchers should pay attention not only to the purpose of the study but also the characteristics of study subjects when collecting and analyzing digital biomarkers from living labs.

To accurately assess the potential hazard of exposure to ionizing radiation from portable radiographs taken in the emergency department,.a study was performed to measure such radiation at different distances from the edge of an irradiated field during portable cervical spine, portable chest radiographs, and portable anteroposterior pelvis radiographs. For all three types of portable radiographs, radiation exposure is high at the edge from the beam. However, radiation exposure is deceased at 20, 40, 80, 160cm away from the beam. This study confirms and supports the evidence that although radiation exposure is dependent on distance from the primary radiograph beam, exposure in the ED is minimal. Medical personnel should not have to leave a patient care area for fear of undue acute and chronic radiation exposure while portable radiographs are performed in the ED. By using protective garments and standing appropriate distance away from the patient, continuous patient care can be maintained while portable radiographs are taken in the ED.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Patient Care ; Pelvis ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Spine

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changing pattern in the use of intravenous pyelogram (IVP), conventional computed tomography (CT), and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) for evaluation of patients with acute flank pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,180 patients with acute flank pain who had visited Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2012 and analyzed the use of IVP, conventional CT, and NECT for these patients. RESULTS: During the study period there was a significant increase in NECT use (p<0.001) and a significant decrease in IVP use (p<0.001). Conventional CT use was also increased significantly (p=0.001). During this time the proportion of patients with acute flank pain who were diagnosed with urinary calculi did not change significantly (p=0.971). CONCLUSIONS: There was a great shift in the use of imaging study from IVP to NECT between 2008 and 2012 for patients with acute flank pain.
Flank Pain ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Calculi*