Vibrio vulnificus infection is one of the most fatal diseases in Korea. This study was undertaken to determine the cellular fatty acid (CFA) compositions of ninety-five clinical strains of V. vulnificus isolated from Korea during 1985-1995. We compared these results with the CFA profile of V. vulnificus in the Microbial Identification System (MIS) (CLIN library version 3.9; Microbial ID Inc., Newark, Del.), and also evaluated the MIS ability to identify V. vulnificus. Subgrouping of V. vulnificus by CFA analysis was performed and its results were compared with those of serotyping. Most of the CFAs in V. vulnificus strains were similar to the CFA profile of V. vulnificus in the MIS, but some distinctive differences were observed. First, means of two major CFAs, 16:0 and 16:1w7c, were 22.16% and 18.26% in this study, but 23.52% and 25.44% in the MIS respectively. Second, all isolates had 11:Oiso3OH, which was not present in the MIS. Eighty-five strains (89.5%) disclosed the first choice identification of V. vulnificus by the MIS, but only two strains (2.1%) were identified with SI values of 0.6. Remaining ten strains (10.5%) showed 'NO MATCH' results. Cluster analysis of CFA could separate V. vulnificus into nine subgroups, and predominant subgroups were subgroup VII (45 strains) and V (36 strains). There was heterogeny between subgroups by CFA and serotypes of V. vulnificus. The strains of 04 serotype which accounted for 80% (76/95) of the isolates were distributed into six different subgroups such as VII (40 strains), V (27 strains), III (4 strains), I (2 strains) and VI (1 strain). These showed that V. vulnificus strains isolated from Korea had different characteristics in the CFA composition in comparison with the MIS V. vulnificus library. Subgrouping by the CFA analysis might be a useful tool for the epidemiological study of V. vulnificus infection in Korea.
Korea* ; Serotyping ; Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio*

PURPOSE: In epidemiological studies, there are various associations of androgen receptor (AR) CAG with several diseases or phenotypes. However, the relationship between CAG repeat length and metabolic syndrome (MS) remains unclear, especially in Asian populations. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between AR CAG repeat length polymorphism and MS in a Korean male population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We explored the relationship between AR CAG repeat length polymorphism and MS in a Korean male population (n=337) from 2013 to 2014. AR CAG repeat were determined by microsatellite fragment sizing. Components of MS and laboratory data (lipid profile, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)) were analyzed with AR CAG repeat length. RESULTS: The mean AR CAG repeat length was 22.3±4.7. Sixty-nine men (20.5%) were diagnosed with MS. Men with MS showed significantly longer AR CAG repeat lengths compared with men without MS (26.2 vs. 21.4, p < 0.001). With increasing CAG repeat, the number of components meeting the NCEP criteria increased significantly. AR CAG repeat length was associated significantly with high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, and HbA1c levels. In the multivariate analysis, CAG repeat length, waist circumference, and levels of HDL were independently associated with MS. (odds ratio (OR)=1.37, 1.19 and 0.90, p < 0.001, 0.045, and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: AR CAG repeat length was associated with MS and laboratory test results, such as those for HDL, triglycerides, and HbA1c, in Korean males. Longer CAG repeat length was identified as a risk factor for MS in Korean males.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Androgen ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; Trinucleotide Repeats ; Waist Circumference

Autologous Transfusion, storage of one's own blood for subsequent infusion if needed, is safe and effective in a variety of scheduled operative procedures. Obstetric involvement in such programs in very limited, however, because of concern over the possibility of inducing premature labor or causing fetal distress by blood volume change or vasovagal reactions. We describe our experience with pregnant women in this program. The incidence of vagovagal reactions of autologous donation was 9.5% (2.21). After entry into this program, 17pastients received a total 37pints, which consist of 19 Autologous and 18 Homologous. Homologous transfusion was avoided in 30% of patients receiving blood. The values of the mean hematocrits before and after hpebotomy were 34.1% and 31.8% respectively. It was stastically significant (p<0.01). We recommended that autologous blood donation by pregnant women in third trimester is safe for mothers or infants and it should be strongly encouraged for patient with placenta previa and repeated cesarean section.
Blood Donors ; Blood Volume ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Hematocrit ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Mothers ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Placenta Previa ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnant Women* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

BACKGROUND: Parent's alcohol drinking not only influences their health but also their children. This research was designed to assess the family function of children who were affected by parent's alcohol drinking. METHODS: Questionnaire survey was performed on 208 high school students (129 males and 79 females) in Daejeon from March to April, 2005. We defined the students whose CAST (Children of Alcoholics Screening Test) score was 6 or more as children of alcoholics (COA) group. Then, we evaluated the family function by family APGAR score between the COA group and the control group. RESULTS: Among the total, 36 (27.9%) male and 27 (34.1%) female students were in COA group. There was a significant (P<0.01) negative correlation between the CAST score and the family APGAR score in all students. In boys, there was no significant correlation between the CAST score and the family APGAR score, but in girls, there was significant negative correlation (P<0.01). Mean family APGAR score of the COA group was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the control group in all students. In boys, there was no significant difference, but in girls, the COA group's family APGAR score was significantly lower than the control group's score (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The high school students, especially girl students, who were affected by parent's alcohol drinking showed a lower family APGAR score. Therefore, family physicians need to evaluate the family function when encountering students similar to COA group.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics* ; Apgar Score ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Physicians, Family ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Reports on a potential relationship between sensory neural hearing loss(SNHL) and cardiovascular or hematologic factor show that the results are controversial. A detailed analysis of risk factors in the development of SNHL was carried out in 3,050 non-noise exposed healthy worker. The mean hearing threshold of both ears at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000Hz was measured and the effect of age, possible cardiovascular risk factor and hematologic factor (blood viscosity and hemostatic factors) on SNHL were evaluated. First, each of these were associated with loss of hearing sensitivity when univariately and multivariatively analysed. In a multiple regression model, age, sex, body mass index, WBC and total cholesterol level were independently associated with the mean of hearing sensitivity decrease at 4000 and 8000Hz. Second, study subjects were divided into two group (normal vs SNHL) and we compare the possible risk between both groups, and analysed univariate and multivariative logistic model. In a multiple logistic regression model, age, sex, body mass index, WBC and total cholesterol level, total protein, platelet were independently associated with SNHL. Our results show that we have some reliable indices of susceptibility to SNHL using cardiovascular measures or biochemical factor, but future, more extensive studies are required.
Blood Platelets ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Ear ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; Logistic Models ; Risk Factors ; Viscosity

PURPOSE: Soft tissue or muscle adhesion to the Porous Polyethylene Sheet Implant (PPSI) can cause postoperative extraocular motility disturbance after orbital fracture repairs using PPSI. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in the suppression of fibrosis between orbital connective tissue and PPSI. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were grouped as A, B, and C and conventional PPSI were implanted between orbital connective tissue and orbital floor in group A; PPSI with a barrier surface (PPSI-B) in group B; PPSI with amniotic membrane transplantation in group C. The implants were harvested at 8 weeks postoperatively, and stained with Masson trichrome and hemaoxylin and eosin staining techniques. RESULTS: In group A, the PPSI demonstrated dense adhesion on both the soft tissue implant and the bone implant interfaces. A lot of fibroblasts were observed on the surface of PPSI. In group B, the PPSI-B demonstrated less fibrosis over the barrier surface, and less fibroblasts than in group A. In group C, the PPSI with amniotic membrane transplantation manifested least fibrous adhesion among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In orbital fracture repair, amniotic membrane transplantation could reduce the fibrosis between orbital connective tissue and PPSI, and might prevent the postoperative extraocualr motility disturbance.
Amnion* ; Connective Tissue* ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis* ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures ; Polyethylene* ; Rabbits

PURPOSE: Sulphomucin is secreted by immature foveolar cells of the stomach and is expressed in gastric adenocarcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well known to be expressed in gastric adenocarci nomas and is correlated with the cellular differentiation of gastric adenocarcinomas. However, at the moment, there are no conclusions about the relationships between the expression of sulphomucin and pathological classifications. METHODS: This study was designed to determine the significance of expression of sulphomucin and CEA in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, these two factors were compared with established clinicopathological prognostic factors. Thirty-two paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinomas were obtained from January 1993 to December 1995 and were selected for study. The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were studied by using the Spicer method and immunohistochemical staining with CEA 2-7 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were positive in 9 (28%) cases and 25 (78%) cases, respectively. There was a significant correlation between sulphomucin expression and histologic differentiation (p<0.05). However, the expression of CEA was correlated with neither clinopathological factors nor sulphomucin expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expressions of sulphomucin are well correlated with cellular differentiations of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Classification ; Noma ; Stomach

PURPOSE: Sulphomucin is secreted by immature foveolar cells of the stomach and is expressed in gastric adenocarcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well known to be expressed in gastric adenocarci nomas and is correlated with the cellular differentiation of gastric adenocarcinomas. However, at the moment, there are no conclusions about the relationships between the expression of sulphomucin and pathological classifications. METHODS: This study was designed to determine the significance of expression of sulphomucin and CEA in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, these two factors were compared with established clinicopathological prognostic factors. Thirty-two paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinomas were obtained from January 1993 to December 1995 and were selected for study. The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were studied by using the Spicer method and immunohistochemical staining with CEA 2-7 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were positive in 9 (28%) cases and 25 (78%) cases, respectively. There was a significant correlation between sulphomucin expression and histologic differentiation (p<0.05). However, the expression of CEA was correlated with neither clinopathological factors nor sulphomucin expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expressions of sulphomucin are well correlated with cellular differentiations of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Classification ; Noma ; Stomach

Systemic lupus ertthematosus(SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antibodies to components of the cell nucleus in association with a diverse array of clinical manifestations. Infection is a major source of morbidity and mortality in parients whth SLE. Although the most frequent etiologic agents are pyogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus species and Echerichia coli, opportunistic pathogens such as uncommon bacteria, fungal organisms, viruses and protozoans have been described. Cases of osteomyelitis due to Salmonella have been reported worldwide, however, it has never been reported in the Korean literature. A 35-year-old female patient with SEL, who has treated with corticosteroid was complicated by osteomyelitis on the life distar femur. A computerized tomography guided aspiration showed greenish yellow pus. Salmonella enteritidis was cultured from the pus. Incision and pus drainage was performed. After 6weeks of antiboitic theraphy, fever, local heat, and swelling improved and she was discharged. We report this patient with a review of relevant literatures.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Bacteria ; Cell Nucleus ; Drainage ; Female ; Femur ; Fever ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mortality ; Osteomyelitis* ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Salmonella* ; Staphylococcus ; Suppuration

An epigastric hernia is a protrusion of the extra-peritoneal fat to the linea alba, between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus. About 3~5% of people develop epigastric hernias. The authors have experienced a case of a 79 year-old woman who had an asymptomatic epigastric hernia, where an abdomen CT is helpful in its diagnosis. The size of the defect was large, and a hernia sac existed. The case of an epigastric hernia, which was treated by a primary repair, is reported, with a brief review of the literature.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Umbilicus