No abstract available.
Seoul*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the genotype frequencies of interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms and to investigate their association with the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm Korean infants. METHODS: Two hundred fourteen preterm infants born at Ewha Womans University Mok Dong Hospital between November 2003 and July 2008 were studied. The cord blood of preterm neonates and the corresponding maternal blood were analyzed by PCR for IL-10 gene (IL-10 -1082A/G, -819T/C, and -592A/C) polymorphisms. The clinical data of patients were collected retrospectively by chart review. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of IL-10 genes in Korean mothers with preterm infants differ from other reports. The prevalence of two promoter SNPs of the IL-10 cytokine gene was similar but none had the IL-10-1082GG homozygote. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated the risk of RDS to be significantly lower in the infants of the mothers with an IL-10-592AC/CC genotype than in those with an AA genotype (P= 0.033). The risk of RDS was significantly lower in the mother with an IL-10-819TC/CC genotype than in those with a TT genotype (P=0.030). However, IL-10 polymorphisms in the cord blood were not significantly different in preterm infants with RDS compared with the preterm infants without RDS. When we compared the incidence of RDS and each IL-10 A-1082G/T-819C/A-592C haplotype, the ACC haplotype had a protective effect on RDS (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the maternal IL-10-592A/C and IL-10-819T/C polymorphisms may have a role in the development of the RDS in preterm infants.
Female ; Fetal Blood ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Interleukin-10 ; Logistic Models ; Mothers ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Blood Pressure* ; Child* ; Gwangju* ; Humans

Malignant lymphoma arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) represents distinct clinicopathologic features and remains localized for prolonged periods. We report a case of low grade B cell lymphoma of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). A 60-year-old female had a long-standing cough, sputum and intermittent fever for 10 years. In 1984, the chest radiography showed increased hazy density in both upper lungs. Although she had been treated by antituberculous medication under clinical diagnosis, there was no improvement. In 1995, open lung biopsy was carried out. Histologically, it showed massive nodular or diffuse infiltration of centrocyte-like cells in bronchus and parenchyme with pleural invasion. On immunohistochemical stain, they were positive for LN-2 and L26 and negative for UCHL-1, LN-1 and LN-3. In polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Ig heavy chain gene rearrangement was detected. The patient was well for 6 months after the biopsy.
Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphoid Tissue* ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radiography ; Sputum ; Thorax

Recently, two groups reported independently on the isolation of new positive-trand RNA viruses, designated hepatitis G virus (HGV) & GB virus C (GBV-C). Sequence analysis revealed that both genomes are different isolates of the same virus & represent a new genus of Flaviviridae. The prevalence of HGV ranges from 0.9 to 10% among blood donors throughout the world. A high prevalence of HGV RNA has been found in subjects with frequent parenteral exposure, including intravenous drug users, patients on hemodialysis, patients with hemophilia and patients with anemia. HGV is a blood borne virus that is parenterally transmitted. Vertical transmission has also been reported. HGV commonly occurs as a coinfection with another hepatitis virus such as HCV or HBV. However, HGV coinfection usually does not alter the clinical course or level of biochemical marker and the response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B or C in these patients. Acute HGV infection rarely causes acute hepatitis and is unlikely to be a major cause of chronic non-A-E hepatitis or fulminant viral hepatitis. HGV infection can be diagnosed by PCR assay to detect the viral RNA in serum. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to recombinant HGV putative envelope protein E2 was recently available. But antibodies to E2 appears to be a serological marker for diagnosing recovery from HGV infection. Since the role of HGV as a etiologic agent of liver disease is unclear, therapy is not recommended at this point.
Anemia ; Antibodies ; Biomarkers ; Blood Donors ; Coinfection ; Diagnosis ; Drug Users ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flaviviridae ; GB virus C* ; Genome ; Hemophilia A ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis Viruses ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; RNA ; RNA Viruses ; RNA, Viral ; Sequence Analysis

The halophilic bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, causes acute fulminating wound infections and septicemia in human. Especially the septicemia shows high mortality above 50%. In Korea, septicemia by V. vulnificus was reported at westem and southern coast in every year. Here, we try to isolate this V. vulnipcus at Kyoung-nam area and coast of Pusan during 1996. Purposed sites were Dadaepo, Songjung, Chungsapo and Mipo of Pusan and Kijang, Ilkuang, Juksoung, Dongam, Waljun and Chilam of southern sea. Total 40 strains of V. vulnipcus were isolated from sea samples. Biochemical characteristics of isolated V. vulnificus were almost same with reference strain V. vulnificus ATCC 27562 on Farmer's tests and on API 20E kit test. V. vulnificus isolates in 1996, fermented cellobiose and salicin but arabinose. and had resistance to 7% sodium chloride.
Arabinose ; Busan* ; Cellobiose ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Sepsis ; Sodium Chloride ; Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio* ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: We developed a new disposable anaerobic culture system, namely, the Quick anaero-system, for easy culturing of obligate anaerobes. METHODS: Our system consists of 3 components: 1) new disposable anaerobic gas pack, 2) disposable culture-envelope and sealer, and 3) reusable stainless plate rack with mesh containing 10 g of palladium catalyst pellets. To evaluate the efficiency of our system, we used 12 anaerobic bacteria. We prepared 2 sets of ten-fold serial dilutions of the 12 anaerobes, and inoculated these samples on Luria-Bertani (LB) broth and LB blood agar plate (LB-BAP) (BD Diagnostic Systems, USA). Each set was incubated in the Quick anaero-system (DAS Tech, Korea) and BBL GasPak jar with BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System (BD Diagnostic Systems) at 35-37degrees C for 48 hr. The minimal inoculum size showing visible growth of 12 anaerobes when incubated in both the systems was compared. RESULTS: The minimal inoculum size showing visible growth for 2 out of the 12 anaerobes in the LB broth and 9 out of the 12 anaerobes on LB-BAP was lower for the Quick anaero-system than in the BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System. The mean time (+/-SD) required to achieve absolute anaerobic conditions of the Quick anaero-system was 17 min and 56 sec (+/-3 min and 25 sec). CONCLUSIONS: The Quick anaero-system is a simple and effective method of culturing obligate anaerobes, and its performance is superior to that of the BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System.
Bacteria, Anaerobic/*growth &development ; Bacteriological Techniques/instrumentation/methods ; Culture Media/chemistry ; Gases/chemistry ; Palladium/chemistry ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

No abstract available.
Humans ; T-Lymphocytes*

The syndrome of postural headache associated with low CSF pressure usually occurs after a dural puncture, myelography, or spinal anesthesia. However, it can also develop spontaneously or after minor trauma. Although the clinical and MRI findings of this syndrome are well described, radionuclide cisterno-graphic findings have not yet been clearly characterized. We report four patients presenting with postural headache associated with very low or unmeasurable CSF pressure. Three patients developed after minor trauma, while one developed spontaneously. Brain MRI revealed symmetric pachymeningeal enhancement in all four patients. Radionuclide cisternography demonstrated delayed migration of tracer to the cerebral convexity at 6 and 24 hours in three patients, and early soft tissue uptake suggestive of CSF leakage in one. We suggest that these radionuclide cisternographic findings are supportive evidences for the presence of intracranial hypotension and may provide useful information for appropriate treatment.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Brain ; Headache ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypotension* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Punctures

BACKGROUND: When using the data based on history, ECG and cardiac enzyme, two to eight percent of patients with acute chest pain are incorrectly perceived as being at low risk and therefore sent home mistakenly. It is known that changes of Doppler parameters appear first, before regional asynergy in 2D-echocardiography, electrocardiographic change and chest pain. however, the clinical application of Doppler information in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction remains uncertain, especially in elderly patients. METHODS: From March 1998 to March 1999, pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography was performed in patients with acute myocardial infarction within 6 hours, and Doppler parameters were evaluated. Each Doppler parameters were compared between elderly (age > or =65) and young(age < 65) groups. RESULT: E peak velocity & E/A ratio showed significant differences between two groups(p<0.05). especially, Stroke volume, isovolumic relaxtion time & myocardial performace index showed marked difference(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Diastolic Doppler parameters of elderly group were significantly changed than younger group. however systolic Doppler parameters were relatively preserved. Among Doppler parameters, myocardial performance index is a conceptrally new, simple and reproducible Doppler index of combined systolic and diastolic myocardial performance, and it may be useful as screening test for patients with AMI in elderly patients.
Aged ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Stroke Volume