In order to evaluate the genotoxic hazard among workers potentially exposed to low level petrochemical substances, the analyses of micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in lymphocytes were performed in 46 male workers (as exposed group) and 46 nonexposed subjects (as control group). Mean frequencies of MN and SCEs (respectively, 12.9/1000 cells and 6.5/cell) in exposed group were very significantly higher than those (10.2/1000 cells and 5.4/cell) in control group. And there were also significant differences in mean frequencies of MN and SCEs adjusted for age, employment duration, smoking, and drinking between two groups. Median frequencies of MN and SCEs in exposed group were very significantly higher than those in control group. Frequencies of SCEs were higher in smokers than in non-smoker. Frequencies of MN in smokers, however, were similiar to those of non-smoker. Interaction between exposure and smoking on MN and SCEs induction was not observed. The results suggest that there is genotoxic hazard in high risk group like workers handling carcinogens in petrochemical plants and the analyses of MN and SCEs are useful biomarkers for the exposure to hazard substances even at the level below the exposure limit.
Biological Markers ; Carcinogens ; Drinking ; Employment ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Sister Chromatid Exchange ; Smoke ; Smoking

Twenty-five patients presenting with severe hemorrhage from benign peptic ulcers were randomized to either endoscopic injection sclerosis using a combination of hypertonic saline- epinephrine solution and 5% ethanolamine or to hypertonic-saline epinephrine solution only. Only high risk patients with active bleeding or endoscopic stigmata of recent hemorrhage of ulcers were considered. A median duration of hospital admission and median transfusion requirements between the two types of treated groups were not significant difference. The initial hemestatic effects of HS-E solution injection group(n=l5) or combination of HS- E solution and 5% ethanolamine injection group(n=l0) were 93%, 90% respectively. The rebleeding rate of HS-E solution injection group(n =15) or combination of HS-E solution and 5% ethanolamine injection group(n=10) were 33%, 30%, respectively. So, both HS-E solution therapy group and comination of HS-E solution & 5% ethanolamine injection group were effective in initial hemostasis for bleeding peptic ulcer patients. However, for the further evaluation of therapeutic effect and comparison of rebleeding rate between the two types of therapy, we think that it will be indispensable to collect more cases and to compare with control group.
Christianity ; Epinephrine ; Ethanolamine ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer* ; Sclerosis* ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: It is important to know for transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) affecting the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) value how long one should wait before being able to ~ obtain an accurate and meaningful serum PSA level. We evaluated the change of serum PSA concentration in patients with benign prostate hypertrophy(BPH) before and after TURP in association with time course and resected prostatic weight. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The effect of TURP was examined in 27 patients with BPH (mean age: 64 years; range: 55-79 years). The serum PSA levels were measured serially (before and 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 days after TURP) by Abott IMX assay. RESULTS: The level of serum PSA appeared to be consistent with prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS) and was elevated by about 0.16 ng/mL for each gram of hyperplastic tissue present (p=0.375, p=0.058). TURP caused an immediate elevation in the serum PSA concentration, with a median increase of 19 ng/mL (p=0.0001). The larger resected group showed a dramatic and statistically significant PSA rise immediately after TURP than the smaller resected group (p=0.023). From the 15 post-operative day, the PSA concentrations continued slightly lower than that of pre-operative day (p=0.0001), and was still decreased on 30 days (p=0.0001). The median time to return to a baseline level of PSA was 30 days (range: 1460 days) after TURP. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that TURP caused an immediate increase in the serum PSA level, which generally return to stable, baseline level within 30 days. However, because in some patients the serum PSA still remained elevated than upper normal limit after 30 days, it is recommended that a serum PSA determination should be obtained for at least 60 days after TURP.
Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate*

PURPOSE: It is important to know for transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) affecting the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) value how long one should wait before being able to ~ obtain an accurate and meaningful serum PSA level. We evaluated the change of serum PSA concentration in patients with benign prostate hypertrophy(BPH) before and after TURP in association with time course and resected prostatic weight. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The effect of TURP was examined in 27 patients with BPH (mean age: 64 years; range: 55-79 years). The serum PSA levels were measured serially (before and 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 days after TURP) by Abott IMX assay. RESULTS: The level of serum PSA appeared to be consistent with prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS) and was elevated by about 0.16 ng/mL for each gram of hyperplastic tissue present (p=0.375, p=0.058). TURP caused an immediate elevation in the serum PSA concentration, with a median increase of 19 ng/mL (p=0.0001). The larger resected group showed a dramatic and statistically significant PSA rise immediately after TURP than the smaller resected group (p=0.023). From the 15 post-operative day, the PSA concentrations continued slightly lower than that of pre-operative day (p=0.0001), and was still decreased on 30 days (p=0.0001). The median time to return to a baseline level of PSA was 30 days (range: 1460 days) after TURP. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that TURP caused an immediate increase in the serum PSA level, which generally return to stable, baseline level within 30 days. However, because in some patients the serum PSA still remained elevated than upper normal limit after 30 days, it is recommended that a serum PSA determination should be obtained for at least 60 days after TURP.
Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate*

In order to estimate interfering effects of mercury and lead on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), BOD in 18 effluent samples were measured under three different concentrations of mercury and lead. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Biochemical oxygen demand(BOD) was decreased under the presence of mercury and lead, with parallel correlation of mercury concentration. 2. High correlations were noted between original BOD concentration and decreasing amount of BOD when concentrations of mercury or lead were increased. 3. When the lead concentration was high, the close correlation was observed between total organic carbon(TOC) and decreasing amount of BOD. 4. There was a negative correlation between TOC/BOD ratio and decreasing amount of BOD when the mercury concentrations were high.
Oxygen*

Although the final cumulative exposure has been used as a exposure variable on the cohort study for the relation between exposure and disease, the bias from the use of fixed exposure can be developed because the exposure amount changes across the time. We developed the program to handle the Cox model with irregularly changing time-dependent exposure variable and covariates, and the validity about the application of time-dependent exposure variable and lagged interval was practically evaluated by analyzing the data collected for typical retrospective cohort study with that program. The results were as follows : The exposure-response relations between the deaths from lung cancer and exposures (fixed or time-dependent) were not clear when 0 year lagged interval was applied. When 15 years lagged interval was applied, the exposure-response relations between the deaths from lung cancer and the time-dependent exposures to crystalline silica were observed and relative risky increased like 1.00, 1.17, 1.30 and 2.45 across the exposure levels. The relative risk estimates for lung cancer with time-dependent exposure variable were higher than those with fixed exposure variable without regard to the application of lagged interval. The exposure-response relations between the deaths from non-malignant respiratory disease (NMRD) and exposures (fixed or time-dependent) were observed across exposure levels when 0 year lagged interval was applied. When 15 years lagged interval wag applied, the exposure-response relations between the deaths from NMRD and the time-dependent exposures to crystalline silica were observed, but were not with fixed exposure variable. The relative risk estimates for NMRD mortality with time-dependent exposure variable were higher than those with fixed exposure variable, and the application of lagged interval on the evaluation of NMRD mortality was meaningless. The results suggests that the application of time-dependent exposure variable on the study of exposure-effect relation should be considered and the application of lagged interval should be decided according to the time needed from disease detection to death.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cohort Studies ; Crystallins ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mortality ; Occupational Diseases* ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicon Dioxide

Acute food impaction of the esophagus is not an unusual problem on an emergency ward. It has been termed the Steakhouse syndrome or the Backyard barbecue syndrome, indicating that meet is the obstrueting bolus in the majority of cases. Most esophageal stenoaes are located distally, and this ie also the area where most food impations occur. The obstruction quickly becomes apparent to the patient when further swallowing of food or liquid is impossible. Various obstructive lesions or motility disorders of the esophagus have been implicated as etiological factors in acute food impaction. Common,disorders include reflux esophagitis with stricture, hiatal hernia, abnormal rings and postoperative strictures at anastomotic sites. Malignant stenoses have been very rarely described. Recently we experienced of 4 patients who suffered from acute dysphagia after they had ingestion of food such as beef, pork, chicken, and dog meat, repectively. All of them were diagnased as steakhouse syndrome due to acute food impaction of the esophageal after examinations of esophagogram and endoscopy. They had hiatal hernia, esophageal cancer, reflux esophagitis with stricture, and abnormal ring as underlying diseases, repectively. All of them were treated with endoseopic removal of foreign body by a Dormia basket.
Animals ; Chickens ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dogs ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagus* ; Foreign Bodies ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Meat

BACKGROUND: Lead is a common environmental metal and has been used for various purposes for a long time, leading to frequent reports of lead poisoning. The concern about lead poisoning starts has been mostly focused on occupational exposure and is linked to the prevention and management of lead exposure in refining and manufacturing processes. Nowadays, however, there is growing concern about nonoccupational lead exposure by many pollutants. Especially, lead poisoning by herb medicine has commonly been observed in clinics in Southeast Asia and South Korea. This case report contains diagnosis of inpatients who suffered from lead poisoning from a herb medicine, arthritis remedy and who complained of abdominal symptoms and dizziness. The study purpose was to awaken our healthful interest in lead poisoning. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old female patient complaining of abdominal pain, dizziness, and numbness of hand and foot came to our hospital due to the continuation of her anemic finding symptoms while undergoing treatment at a secondary hospital. Her past medical history was unremarkable except she had taken herb pills for about a year which were administered by herb medicine to treat arthritis. Physical examination was unremarkable except for oral ulcer finding. Hemoglobin was 8.5 g/dl, reticulocyte count was 4.10%, bilirubin was 1.3 mg/dl (direct 0.3 mg/dl), and Zinc protoporphyrin 169.12 ug/dl. In urinalysis results, WBC increased to 30~39 /HPF, While AST/ALT, BUN/Cr, PT/aPTT, and nerve conduction velocity were normal. Basophilic stippling was observed through peripheral blood smear. The blood lead level was 80.4 microgram/dl and the urine lead level continued to increase to 541 microgram/l. Analysis of the pills that the patient had been taking showed that they contained 30 mg/g lead. By oral chelation therapy with D-penicillamine four times per day for five days, the patient's hemoglobin increased to 11.8 g/dl, while blood lead level decreased to 39.2 microgram/dl, and urine level to 196 microgram/l. Although the soles of her feet remained cold, but other symptoms and anemia finding were improved considerably. However, after discontinuing D-penicillamine medication, the blood lead level increased to 41.4 microgram/dl again. The further administration of D-penicillamine for five days reduced the blood lead level to 31.5 microgram/dl. At two years after the discontinuance of D-penicillamine, the followup findings were normal; hemoglobin was 13.1 g/dl, hematocrit 39.6%, reticulocyte count 1.22%, blood lead level 13.3 microgram/dl, and urine lead level 9.17 microgram/l. CONCLUSION: After taking herb medicine pills for one year, the patient was admitted to hospital chiefly complaining of abdominal pain, dizziness, and numbness of the hand and foot. The high blood and urine and lead levels and lead chemical analysis of the herb pills confirmed lead poisoning which was treated with D-penicillamine for five days. The follow-up result after two years indicated normal blood and urine lead levels.
Abdominal Pain ; Anemia ; Arthritis ; Asia, Southeastern ; Basophils ; Bilirubin ; Chelation Therapy ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Eating* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hand ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning* ; Middle Aged ; Neural Conduction ; Occupational Exposure ; Oral Ulcer ; Penicillamine ; Physical Examination ; Reticulocyte Count ; Urinalysis ; Zinc

BACKGROUND: Mercury poisoning presents a variety of clinical pictures depending on the chemical structure, the route of exposure, the amount absorbed and other individual factors. Therefore, the ingestive and subcutaneous absorption of elemental(metallic) mercury can be considered to be relatively harmless in contrast to the inhalation of mercury vapor. CASE REPORTS: A 72-year-old man presented to the department of urology due to tenderness, edema and a necrotic abscess of his penis after trauma. The soft tissue abscess required a surgical resection of the penis. For chelation therapy, oral D-penicillamine was administrated. 7 months later, he showed no subjective or objective signs of mercury poisoning. Another 5-yearold girl presented to the emergency department after accidental self-ingestion of elemental mercury. She was followed clinically and did not show any systemic mercury poisoning. CONCLUSION: The Mercury concentrations in the blood and urine were elevated in the case of subcutaneous exposure, but was unchanged in the case of ingestion. Subcutaneous and gastrointestinal exposure to metallic mercury has a minimal risk for systemic mercury poisoning, which is in contrast to the exposure by inhalation.
Abscess ; Absorption ; Aged ; Chelation Therapy ; Eating ; Edema ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; Penicillamine ; Penis ; Urology

Three cDNA fragments located within NS5 region of HCV were synthesized by RT using viral RNA extracted from blood sample of Korean patient as a template. The cDNAs were amplified by PCR, cloned into the T-vector, and the nucleotide sequences were determined. Comparative a analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of NS5 cDNAs showed that it is closely related with HCV type 1b. The cloned NS5 cDNA showed 91-94% homology at the nucleotide sequence level and 96-98% homology at the amino acid sequence level with several strains of the HCV type 1b. The NS5 cDNAs were subcloned into E. coli expression vectors to construct pRSETA5-1, pTHAN5-1, pRSETC5-2, pRSETBB1, pRESTCB1 and PRSETB-H3. Expression of the NS5 proteins was achieved by inducing the promoter with isopropyl-thio-P-D-galactoside (IPTG) and confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The NS5 proteins were immunoreactive against sera from Korean hepatitis C patients in Western blot analysis. Among the recombinant NS5 proteins, pRSETA5-1 plasmid derived protein, coded from aa2022 to aa2521 of HCV polyprotein, showed the strongest immunoreactivity against sera from Korean hepatitis C patients in immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that NS5 proteins would be useful as an antigen for detection of antibody against HCV in the blood samples.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; DNA, Complementary ; Electrophoresis ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral