In April 2002 and 2003, soft rot on fruit of eggplant (Solanum melongena) caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum was observed in the experimental fields at Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Korea. The disease began with water-soaking and dark-green lesions, and then the infected tissues were rapidly rotten. Sporangium was subglobose in shape and sized 40~130 microm. Monosporous sporangiola were elliptic, fusiform or ovoid, brown in color, and measured as 12~20 x 6~14 microm. Sporangiospores having three or more appendages were elliptic, fusiform or ovoid in shape, dark brown or brown in color, and sized 14~20 x 7~16 microm. The fungus grew well on potato dextrose agar between 15 and 40degrees C and its optimum growth temperature was 30degrees C. Based on morphological characteristics, the causal fungus of the fruit soft rot of eggplant was identified as C. cucurbitarum. This is the first report on the soft rot of S. melongena caused by C. cucurbitarum in Korea.
Agar ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Glucose ; Korea* ; Solanum melongena* ; Solanum tuberosum ; Sporangia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the clinical value of additional von Kossa staining in thyroid nodules with "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2010 to November 2010, 55 patients with 55 nodules which were diagnosed as "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology and had microcalcifications on ultrasound (US) underwent surgery and made up our final study population. We evaluated the role of the von Kossa stain as a preoperative diagnostic factor for thyroid cancer using histopathology as the "gold standard". Diagnostic performances were calculated of the presence of psammoma bodies on both cytology and the von Kossa staining and of US in predicting thyroid cancers. RESULTS: Of 55 nodules with microcalcifications on US and "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology, 53 (96.4%) were malignant and 2 (3.6%) were benign on histopathology. All pathologically benign nodules were negative on the von Kossa stain. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the von Kossa stain were 28.3%, 100%, 30.9%, 100%, and 5% for diagnosis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Von Kossa staining can be a valuable diagnostic tool in a thyroid nodule with "suspicious for malignancy" on cytology and microcalcifications on US, objectively.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of propofol anesthesia on circulatory response to hemorrhage in rats by power spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability. METHODS: Nineteen male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 350-580 g were divided into propofol (2 mg/kg, iv)-anesthetized (P, n=10) and saline control (C, n=9) groups. Blood pressure signal was digitized at 500 Hz for 5 min at basal, during hemorrhage and after hemorrhage. The signal was analyzed with fast Fourier transform algorithm to yield power spectra of systolic (SPV) and diastolic (DPV) blood pressure and cycle length variability (HRV). Very low frequency (VLF, 0.02-0.26 Hz), low frequency (LF, 0.26-0.75 Hz), high frequency (HF, 0.75-5.00 Hz) powers, LF/HF ratio and total power were obtained. Powers of each band were expressed as percent of total power. RESULTS: Blood pressure was decreased during hemorrhage in C and with a greater magnitude in P. Heart rate tended to increase during hemorrhage in C, but was not changed in P. LF powers of SPV in P was decreased after propofol injection. Hemorrhage decreased LF and increased HF. LF powers of DPV in P was decreased after propofol injection. Hemorrhage caused a further decrease in LF. LF powers of HRV in P was decreased after propofol injection. Hemorrhage caused a further decrease in LF. Powers of SPV, DPV and HRV in C were not changed by hemorrhage. LF/HF of SPV, DPV and HRV were decreased during hemorrhage in P, but not in C. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that propofol depressed sympathetic activity to diminish peripheral vascular tone and hemorrhage under propofol anesthesia resulted in a greater blood pressure fall due to impaired sympathetic compensation including attenuated baroreflex mechanism.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Baroreflex ; Blood Pressure* ; Compensation and Redress ; Fourier Analysis ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Male ; Propofol ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Conventional mandibular complete denture lacks in support and stability for edentulous patients to use. PURPOSE: To enhance support and stability of mandibular complete denture, 2 implants were inserted on the inter-mental foramina space of edentulous patients. With 2 magnetic attachments on the inner side of the overdenture, we gave immediate loads and evaluated the stability of the implants, the responses of the supporting tissues, and the satisfaction of the patients. MATERIAL & METHODS: 6 edentulous patients (5 male, 1 female) each recieved 2 SLA implants in the inter-mental foramina region and implants were immediately loaded with overdenture with magnet attachments. To evaluate the implants stability and the peri-implant tissues, clinical exams, RFA tests and radiographic exams were preformed at the 1 week, 2wks, 6wks, 12wks, and 24wks. post-surgery. RESULTS: The mean surgery time was 45.7 +/- 7.7 mins., while the denture delivery time was 45.5 +/- 12.6 mins. Only 2 of 14 implants were failed. Survived implants that remained were clincally and radiographically stable. Mean ISQ values were relatively stable, showing 69.71+/-5.55, 69.00+/-9.48, 67.92+/-7.86, 67.92+/-9.58, 70.08+/-7.61, 71.92+/-6.43 at the 1 wk, 2 wks, 6 wks, 12 wks, 24 wks. follow up check. Crestal bone changes were -1.18mm+/-0.68mm, -1.35+/-0.69mm, -1.47+/-0.68 mm at the 6wks, 12wks, 24wks. follow up check. Bleeding on probing(BOP index) was not significant. CONCLUSION: Mandibular ovedentures with 2 magnetic attachments over two interforaminal implants on edentulous patients for immediate function is a recommendable novel treatment for edentulous patients which shows stability on the implants and supporting tissue.
Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay* ; Dentures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: We report early experiences on endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHOD: We reviewed the results of 15 patients underwent EVAR between 2003 and 2007 in the Kyung Hee University Medical Center, retrospectively. RESULT: Mean age of patients was 71.2 years (range, 51~85 years). 14 patients (93.3%) had comorbidities. All of AAAs were infrarenal types. The mean size of AAA was 58.5 mm (38~91 mm), and the mean length, diameter, and angle of neck was 26.4 mm, 19.9 mm, and 37.7degrees, respectively. Ten patients were accompanied with iliac aneurysm. 14 were bifurcated grafts and 1 was straight tubular graft. Mean procedure time was 100.6 minutes. Mean length of hospitalization was 6.5 days (2~10 days). There was no need of transfusion or use of an intensive care unit. Fever of unknown origin occurred in 7 cases but resolved spontaneously. Device deployment was successful in 100% (primary 9 cases, assisted-primary 6 cases). There were seven endoleaks during interventions. One patient with secondary type II endoleak and suprarenal enlargement of AAA sac died from aortoenteric fistula. In one patient with perigraft abscess after EVAR, surgical drainage was performed. Decrease of AAA diameter > or =5 mm in two patients, newly developed suprarenal aortic aneurysm in one patient were detected on CT scan during mean follow-up of 11.4 months (2-29 months) and remained unchanged in other twelve cases. CONCLUSION: These early results suggest that EVAR offers considerable benefits for appropriate patients, but is thought to need more experiences and long-term outcomes.
Abscess ; Academic Medical Centers ; Aneurysm* ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* ; Comorbidity ; Drainage ; Endoleak ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Intensive Care Units ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplants

Clinically, the infarction of posterior spinal arteries is rarely recognized due to rich anastomosis. As a result, there have been few clinical reports of posterior spinal artery infarction. A 38-year-old man experienced severe transitory neck and occipital pain after his friend had struck him on the cervical area. A few days later, he developed dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia, and decreased vibration and position senses on the right side of his body. Routine laboratory find-ings, an echocardiogram, a work-up for connective tissue diseases, and CSF studies were all found to be normal. A MRI showed increased signals in the right posterior and posterolateral part of the lower medulla and some portion of the first cervical cord on T2- and proton-weighted images without significant enhancements. A cerebral angiogram showed a long narrow thread-like segment in the distal portion of the right vertebral artery, which was indicative of a dissection. The right posterior inferior cerebellar artery was not visualized.
Adult ; Arteries* ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Friends ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Lateral Medullary Syndrome ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Proprioception ; Spinal Cord ; Vertebral Artery ; Vibration

Polymicrobial peritonitis is a relatively uncommon complication and it's clinical characteristics, risk factor and optimal managernent remain controversial. To identify indications for catheter removal in polymicrobial peritonitis, we reviewed the 340 episodes that occured in 168 patients of CAPD peritonitis during past 7 years to identify those. Polymicribial peritonitis was the 18 epoisodes in 18 patients of all peritonitis. First, 18 patients with polymicrobial peritonitis (P-P) did not show significant differences in the demographic features compared to 130 patients with single organism peritonitis (S-P). In contrast to Staphylococcus in S-P, the most common causative organisrn in P-P was pseudomonas (23%). Also sgnificantly more catheters were removed in P-P than S-P (P=0.001). Second, we cornpared group I, the patients responded to antibiotics only, and group II, those who needed catheter removal. The group I was 7 (39%) and the group II was 11 (61%). No patient of group I died and two patients of group II died. Between group I and group II, there were no significant differences in the demographic features. However, patients whose dialysate-WBC counts were below 100 at 3rd day after start of antibiotics were more significantly frequent in group I than group II. Among combination of causative organisms in P-P, most of Pseudornonas (6/9) and fungus (4/4) were treated by catheter removal. In conclusion, more catheters were removed in P-P than S-P. When dialysate WBC at 3rd day after start of antibiotics were over 100 and causative organism included pseudomonas or fungus in P-P, catheter removal was needed. We suggest that the kinds of organisms isolated and early response to antibiotics influence on the outcome of polymicrobial peritonitis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters* ; Fungi ; Humans ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis* ; Pseudomonas ; Risk Factors ; Staphylococcus

Gastrointestinal (GI) fistulas are frequently very serious complications that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. GI fistulas can cause a wide array of pathophysiological effects by allowing abnormal diversion of the GI contents, including digestive fluid, water, electrolytes, and nutrients, from either one intestine to another or from the intestine to the skin. As an alternative to surgery, recent technical advances in interventional radiology and percutaneous techniques have been shown as advantageous to lower the morbidity and mortality rate, and allow for superior accessibility to the fistulous tracts via the use of fistulography. In addition, new interventional management techniques continue to emerge. We describe the clinical and imaging features of GI fistulas and outline the interventional management of GI fistulas.
Drainage ; Gastric Fistula/diagnosis/radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/diagnosis/radiography/*therapy ; Punctures ; *Radiography, Interventional

OBJECTIVE: Although a great deal of knowledge accumulated with regard to the causes and epidemiologic features of cervical cancer, primary prevention has not been particularly effective to date. Most efforts with regards of control of cervical cancer have been directed toward secondary prevention with cytologic smears in a screening program. The purpose of this study was to know the cervical smear histories in the women with neoplasia of uterine cervix at present. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between June, 1993 and October, 1996, seventy women with invasive cervical carcinoma and eighty-seven women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN) were interviewed about cervical smear histories to assess the frequencies of past smear at the Soonchunhyang University Hospital. RESULTS: The results were follows: 1. The mean age of the women with invasive cervical cancer and CIN were 55+/-9 and 42+/-11, respectively. 2. Of the 70 cases of cervical cancer, 61%(43/70) has not been screened, compared with 43%(37/87) in cases of CIN. 3. The mean ages at first smear in the cases of previous smear were 42+/-6 of 27 cancers, 37+/-7 of 50 CINs. The gap between the age at the first smear and the age at diagnosis were about 6 years in cases of cervical cancers, about 5 years in cases of CIN. 4. The most common symptom in cervical cancers was vaginal bleeding or postcoital bleeding(57%). Although 13%(9/70) were discovered during screening without symptom in the women with cervical cancers, 58%(52/87) were diagnosed incidently during screening in CIN. 5. Pap smear numbers before diagnosis were strongly associated with age and stage. Among women diagnosed with invasive cancer under the age of 49, 75% had at least one cervical smear. But, all women with cervical cancer over age of 65 have not been screened. Unscreened rates of stage I, II, III, and IV were 34%, 78%, 85% and 83% respectively. 6. Among 38 cases who had undergone radiation therapy, 82%(31/38) had not been screen in contrast to 38%(12/32) in the women who had undergone radical surgery. 7. Among women with previous smears in the cervical cancer, 20%(14/70) have been screened within 1year. CONCLUSION: It is likely to diagnosis cervical cancer who had normal papanicolau smear in recent. So papanicolau smear is examined carefully and other adjunctive test is help to diagnosis cervical cancer exactly, for example cervicography, HPV testing.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Primary Prevention ; Secondary Prevention ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Vaginal Smears

Objectives: To determine whether the clinical aspect of aplastic anemia is influenced by pregnancy. METHODS: We reviewed 37 cases of pregnant aplastic anemia patients during Jan. 1989 to Dec. 1998, and examined age, parity, progress of pregnancy, termination methods, obstetrics & neonatal complications, hematologic change, and treatment modality by medical records. RESULTS: According to onset of disease, patients were divided into pre-pregnant diagnosed group(n=12) and during-pregnancy diagnosed group(n=25). Mean age of diagnosis was 29.4yr, 89.2% were nulliparous, and 51.4% were severe aplastic anemic patients. All patients underwent 50 pregnancy. Mean gestational period was 37wks, birth weight was 2569gram, and, except in 7 cases of abortion, 43 cases were delivered transvaginally or transabdominally(51.2% vs. 48.8%). Preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm labor, restricted growth, and distress were complicated and decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte, platelet were reversed after termination in pregnancy associated group. Treatment modality during pregnancy included transfusion, steroid, anti-lymphocytic globulin, anti-thymocytic globulin and IVGV, and remission rate was 45.5% in pregnancy associated group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that pregnancy is associated with aplastic anemia as a high risk factor, and intensive treatment is needed.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Diagnosis ; Eclampsia ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy* ; Reticulocytes ; Risk Factors