The acid digestion method for extracting diatoms has been widely used to confirm death by drowning, but its reliability is still disputed because some diatoms can be destroyed during the extraction process due to treatment with strong acid and heat. There is a need to develop an efficient and reliable digestive method to overcome the limitation of the present analytical procedure. In this study, the reliability and efficacy of quantitative and qualitative diatom analysis from seawater by an enzymatic digestion method was evaluated. We confirmed the merit of the enzymatic method that used proteinase K instead of nitric acid in the conventional method. As a result, the enzymatic method showed a higher recovery ratio and better preservation of the diatom structure, which is essential for quantitative (diatom density) and qualitative (species) interpretation of diatom analysis. This result indicates that the enzymatic method can replace the conventional acid digestion method to confirm cases of death by drowning since it is more reliable and yields conclusive results.
Diatoms ; Digestion ; Drowning ; Endopeptidase K ; Hot Temperature ; Nitric Acid ; Plankton ; Seawater

PURPOSE: We investigated fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in preterm infants with and without feeding intolerance (FI), and compared the FC levels according to the type of feeding. METHODS: The medical records of 67 premature infants were reviewed retrospectively. The fully enteral-fed infants were classified into two groups; the FI group (29 infants) and the control group (31 infants). Seven infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and perinatal asphyxia were excluded. If breast milk (BM) or preterm formula (PF) could not be tolerated by infants with FI, amino acid-based formula (AAF) was tried temporarily. Once FI improved, AAF was discontinued, and BM or PF was resumed. We investigated the FC levels according to the type of feeding. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in gestational age, birth weight, age when full enteral feeding was achieved, and hospital stay between the FI and control group (p < 0.05). The FC levels in the FI group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The FC levels in the AAF-fed infants with FI were significantly lower than those in the BM- or PF-fed infants (p < 0.05). The growth velocities (g/d) and z scores were not significantly different between the FI and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The FC levels in AAF-fed infants with FI showed significantly lower than those in the BM- or PF-fed infants with FI. The mitigation of gut inflammation through the decrease of FC levels in AAF-fed infants with FI could be presumed.
Asphyxia ; Birth Weight ; Enteral Nutrition ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Inflammation ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex* ; Medical Records ; Milk, Human ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the cranial vault is very rare. A 55-year-old woman presented with a right parietal subcutaneous scalp lump. Computed tomography(CT) scan showed a right parietal cranial vault lesion with scalp swelling and extradural and intradural involvement. Tumor removal, including portion of involved skull, followed by c ranioplasty with resin were performed. Histologic study revealed the features of a T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(high grade, large cell, diffuse, immunoblastic type) and there was no systemic involvement. The chemotherapy and radiotherapy were instituted after surgery.
Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Middle Aged ; Rabeprazole ; Radiotherapy ; Scalp ; Skull ; T-Lymphocytes

Anterior cervical interbody fusion(ACIF) is an effective method for the treatment of various cervical diseases, but complications from such procedure include non-union, absorption, collapse and displacement of graft bone, kyphosis and pseudoarthrosis. A retrospective study of 67 cases with ACIF with versus without plating system in degenerative cervical disease was performed to compare the arthrodesis level, average admission period, average ambulation period, fusion rate, complications, clinical outcome and reoperation rate for complications and to provide a efficacy and role of internal fixation(IF) after ACIF. Forty-five patients were operated through ACIF without IF and twenty-two patients were operated through ACIF with IF. In the group of ACIF without IF, the average admission period was 20.31 days, postoperative average ambulation period was 6.48 days, fusion rate was 97.7%, the rate of graft related complication was 31.1%, reoperation rate for graft related complications was 8.9%. In the group of ACIF with IF, the average admission period was 17.64 days, postoperative average ambulation period was 3.19 days, fusion rate was 100%, the rate of graft and plate related complications was 13.6%, reoperation rate for plate related complications was 9.1%. There was no reoperation for graft related complication in group of ACIF with IF. In conclusion, ACIF with IF had less chance of serious graft related complications and reoperation for graft related complications.
Absorption ; Arthrodesis ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Pseudarthrosis ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Walking

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic spiral computed tomography(CT) during the portal phase with ahigher IV injection rate of contrast material in detecting hepatic metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed two-phase dynamic spiral CT in 44 patients with hepatic metastases of pathologically proven primary malignancy. One hundred and fifty ml. of non-ionic contrast material was administered with a power injector at a rate of 5ml/sec., and two-phase images at 55-80 sec.(portal phase) and 2-5 min.(equilibrium phase) were obtained after thestart of bolus injection. Two phase images were compared for detectability of hepatic metastases according tosize, number and enhancement pattern. RESULTS: In cases of metastases less than 1cm, 113 lesions(100%) that showed clearly defined hypodense lesions were detected in the portal phase of dynamic CT. However, the equilibriumphase images showed hypodense lesions in 58 cases(51%) and isodense lesions in 55cases(49%). In cases of metastases 1-2cm in size, the portal phase images detected 70 hypodense lesions(92%) and six hyperdense lesions(8%). In the equilibrium phase, however, the lesions were hypodense in 54 cases(71%), hyperdense infour(5%), and isodense in 18(24%). In cases of metastases larger than 2 cm, portal phase images showed 29 hypodense lesions(97%) and one hyperdense lesion(3%). In the equilibrium phase, however, the lesions were hypodense in 25 cases(83%), hyperdense in two(7%), and mixed in three(10%). As compared with the portal phase, most metastatic lesions were detected as poorly defined hypodense or isodense lesions in the equilibrium phase and decrease in size due to peripheral enhancement. CONCLUSION: Dynamic spiral CT during the portal phase with a higher IV injection rate(5 ml/sec) of contrast material is a useful method for detecting hepatic metastases, especially small lesions less than 1cm.
Humans ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

An African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in wild boars was first reported on October 2, 2019, in South Korea. Since then, additional cases were reported in South Korea's border areas. We here report the identification of ASF virus (ASFV) DNAs from two out of eight environmental abiotic matter samples collected from areas where ASF-positive wild boar carcasses were found. Comparative genomic investigations suggested that the contaminating ASFV DNAs originated from the wild boar whose carcass had been found near the positive sample sites.This is the first report on the identification of ASF viral material in wild boar habitats.

An African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in wild boars was first reported on October 2, 2019, in South Korea. Since then, additional cases were reported in South Korea's border areas. We here report the identification of ASF virus (ASFV) DNAs from two out of eight environmental abiotic matter samples collected from areas where ASF-positive wild boar carcasses were found. Comparative genomic investigations suggested that the contaminating ASFV DNAs originated from the wild boar whose carcass had been found near the positive sample sites.This is the first report on the identification of ASF viral material in wild boar habitats.

Patients with complete tracheal transection present a considerable challenge to the anesthesiologist. A 38 year-old woman with complete tracheal transection above the aortic arch level due to blunt trauma was taken to the operating room for an attempt at tracheal repair. Anesthetic management was focused on the maintenance of the airway and adequate ventilation. Primary repair of the trachea was carried out under ventilation support via percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system. Until the disrupted trachea was exposed on the surgical field, ventilation was performed using a laryngeal mask. We discuss the anesthetic management strategies and the alternative mode of ventilation.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Masks ; Operating Rooms ; Trachea ; Ventilation

Postappendectomy bleeding is a rare and occasionally catastrophic phenomenon. Bleed-ing in the gastrointestinal tract may occur early or late. The cause of late bleeding included ulceration, vascular malformation or granuloma. We experienced a case of delayed appen-diceal stump ulceration and bleeding who underwent an appendectomy 1 year ago. The patient was admitted due to melena. A colonoscopy showed a well-circumscribed deep ulcer containing of silk suture material at the base of appendiceal stump. Biopsy revealed only granulation tissue with nonspecific inflammation. The silk was removed by biopsy forcep and sulfasalazine was tried. A repeat colonoscopy showed the complete ulcer heal-ing 3 months later. We report this case with a review of literatures.
Appendectomy* ; Biopsy ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Granulation Tissue ; Granuloma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Melena ; Silk ; Sulfasalazine ; Surgical Instruments ; Sutures ; Ulcer* ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Erythropoietin (EPO) is emerging as a therapeutic candidate for neuroprotection. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the neuroprotective role of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and the possible mechanisms by which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), JNK, and p38 MAPK is modulated in cultured cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. METHODS: Primary neuronal cells and astrocytes were prepared from cortices of ICR mouse embryos and divided into the normoxic, hypoxia (H), and hypoxia-pretreated with EPO (H+EPO) groups. The phosphorylation of MAPK pathway was quantified using western blot, and the apoptosis was assessed by caspase-3 measurement and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: All MAPK pathway signals were activated by hypoxia in the neuronal cells and astrocytes (P<0.05). In the neuronal cells, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2 and apoptosis were significantly decreased in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). In the astrocytes, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2, p38 MAPK, and apoptosis was reduced in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with rHuEPO exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic injury reducing apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms. Pathologic, persistent ERK activation after hypoxic injury may be attenuateed by pretreatment with EPO supporting that EPO may regulate apoptosis by affecting ERK pathways.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Apoptosis* ; Astrocytes ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Embryonic Structures ; Erythropoietin* ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Mortality ; Neurons ; Neuroprotection ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases*