No abstract available.
Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

An association between drug treatment for viral infections and severe cutaneous adverse reactions has been noted. We investigated six patients diagnosed with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after being prescribed acetaminophen for suspected viral illnesses. Multiplex analysis was performed to measure cytokine levels in sera before and after treatment. IL-2Rα levels significantly decreased during the convalescence phase. Although acetaminophen is relatively safe, the drug can trigger SJS/TEN in patients with suspected viral infections. T-cells and monocytes may be key components of the link between viral infection and acetaminophen-induced SJS/TEN.
Acetaminophen* ; Convalescence ; Humans ; Monocytes ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* ; T-Lymphocytes

The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic potential of sulfasalazine and prednisolone in a mouse collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model. Twenty-five male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (G1): control, group 2 (G2): probe control, group 3 (G3): CAIA, group 4 (G4): CAIA+sulfasalazine (10 mg/kg, oral), and group 5 (G5): CAIA+prednisolone (100 mg/kg, oral). Fluorescence bioimaging was performed in vivo 24 and 48 h after treatment with a fluorescence probe (OsteoSense® 680 EX), and all mice were sacrificed. The hind knee joints were fixed in 10% neutral phosphate-buffered formalin, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histopathological analyses were performed. The paw thickness increased in a time-dependent manner in G3 mice, but trended toward a decrease in both G4 and G5 mice. Fluorescence intensity increased in G3 mice at 24 and 48 h after fluorescence probe treatment, but the fluorescence intensity in G4 and G5 mice was lower than that in G3. Micro-CT analyses showed that the joint surfaces of G3 mice had a rough and irregular articular appearance, but the occurrence of these irregularities was lower in G4 and G5. Hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin O-fast green staining confirmed that destruction of the cartilage and bony structures, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration all occurred in G3, and that the occurrence of these phenomena was lower in G4 and G5 than in G3. Taken together, these results suggest that sulfasalazine and prednisolone can reduce acute rheumatoid arthritis in mice.
Animals ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cartilage ; Collagen* ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Fluorescence ; Formaldehyde ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Mice* ; Prednisolone ; Sulfasalazine

We evaluated the availability of toluidine blue stain in body fluids, such as peritoneal and pleural fluid and urine. Nine hundreds specimens, i.e., 400 pleural and 400 peritoneal fluids and 100 urine samples, respectively, from Jan. 1995 to May 1996 were included. We obtained the result of high sensitivity and high specificity in toluidine blue stained body fluid in comparison with Papanicolaou stained result. Additionally, we found the diagnostically important crystals in chylothorax and some urine samples, which can not be seen in routine Papanicolaou stain. We thought the toluidine blue stain in body fluid is one of very useful diagnostic methods.
Ascitic Fluid ; Body Fluids* ; Chylothorax ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tolonium Chloride*

Macrophages are important for the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. Integrin CD11b, which is encoded by Itgam, is expressed on the surface of macrophages and has been implicated in adhesion, migration, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, the functional impact of CD11b on the inflammatory responses of macrophages upon microbial infection remains unclear. Here, we show that CD11b deficiency resulted in increased susceptibility to sepsis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by enhancing the pro-inflammatory activities of macrophages. Upon infection with MRSA, the mortality of Itgam, knockout mice was significantly higher than that of control mice, which is associated with increased production of TNF-α and IL-6. In response to MRSA, both bone marrowderived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages lacking CD11b produced elevated amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide. Moreover, CD11b deficiency upregulated IL-4-induced expression of anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 and arginase-1, and an immunomodulatory function of macrophages to restrain T cell activation. Biochemical and confocal microscopy data revealed that CD11b deficiency augmented the activation of NF-κB signaling and phosphorylation of Akt, which promotes the functional activation of macrophages with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory phenotypes, respectively. Overall, our experimental evidence suggests that CD11b is a critical modulator of macrophages in response to microbial infection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of emotional labor, emotional intelligence and social support on job stress in clinical nurses. METHODS: Participants were 123 clinical nurses and data were collected from October to December, 2011 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression with SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between job stress and emotional labor. Emotional labor showed a significant negative correlation with emotional intelligence and social support, whereas a positive correlation was found between emotional intelligence and social support. The strongest predictor of job stress was emotional labor. In addition, institution satisfaction (dissatisfaction) and the reason for selecting the job (opportunities for service) accounted for 21% of variance in job stress. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that it is important to manage emotional labor as well as to improve job satisfaction in order to reduce job stress in clinical nurses.
Emotional Intelligence ; Job Satisfaction

PURPOSE: The identification of specific behaviors conducive to overeating or inactivity is the cornerstone of obesity management. The Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society developed parent and self-reporting questionnaires about eating behavior and physical activity in 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the questionnaires in assessing modifiable lifestyle factors related to obesity. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 177 children (6-11 years old) and 134 adolescents (12-16 years old) from 10 hospitals between May 2006 and January 2007 who had completed parent or self-reporting questionnaires. Cases were divided into normal and overweight groups at or above the age-gender-specific 85th percentile based on 2007 Korean national growth charts. RESULTS: Compared to children, the adolescents tended to have a significantly more sedentary lifestvle and inappropriate dietary behaviors significantly (P<.05). Overweight mothers were significantly associated with overweight children and adolescents (P<.05). Being overweight was significantly associated with a family history of adult diseases for children and adolescents (P<.05). Inappropriate eating behaviors (strong appetite, eating fast, eating until they were full, binge eating, favoring greasy foods) were associated with being overweight in children and adolescents. Sedentary activity such as TV viewing and using a computer were significantly associated with overweight in children and adolescents (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Intervention to modify obesity-related lifestyle factors is needed before adolescence. These questionnaires are useful in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and in individual counseling for overweight children and adolescents in pediatric clinics.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Appetite ; Bulimia ; Child ; Counseling ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Growth Charts ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Life Style ; Mothers ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies

Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin that functions as a prohormone and affects bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency causesboth musculoskeletal manifestations, including rickets, and extra-musculoskeletal symptoms. Because vitamin D is naturally present in only some foods, intake of daily foods cannot meet the dietary reference intake for vitamin D. Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D in humans therefore, the lack of sunlight can easily cause vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents. Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed on the basis ofits typical clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, and radiologic findings. Detection of vitamin D deficiency in children or adolescents necessitates the simultaneous administration of vitamin D and calcium supplements. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, 200 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in infants, and 400 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in Korean children and adolescents.
Adolescent ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Child ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Infant ; Rickets ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: Falls in the elderly can lead to disability, hospitalizations, and premature death. Even if the fall does not cause significant injury, it may lead to fear of falling, loss of self confidence and restriction of ambulation. Thus, we conducted this study to examine the risk factors of falls in the elderly. METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 persons, older than 65 years. Subjocts were subdivided into 3 groups according to their experience of falls, during the past 2 year period. Among them, 30 persons had no previous experience, 20 had one fall, and 20 more than one fall. Age, past history, situations surrounding falls, MMSE K, GDS short form, ADL, IADL, Mini Nutritional assessment (MNA) were reviewed, and the Get up and go test, evaluation of orthostic hypotension and hearing were done. T-test, chi square, ANOVA, logistic regression test using the SAS program was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 75.4 years with 62.9% malas. The factors associated with falling were age (P=0.01), scores of MNA (P=0.04), Get up and go test (P=0.004), past history (P=0.01), MMSE K (P=0.02), GDS short form (P=0.001), ADL (P=0.003) and IADL (P=0.002). Those in the group who fell once occured mostly while doing a riskful task, while those who fell more than once happened mostly during positional change (p<0.0001). Independent predictors of falls were get up and go test results and GDS short form scores. CONCLUSION: The independent predictors of falls were Get up and go test results and Geriatric Depression Scale scores.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Depression ; Hearing ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Logistic Models ; Mortality, Premature ; Nutrition Assessment ; Risk Factors* ; Walking

Kartagener syndrome is characterized by the triad of situs inversus, bronchiectasis, and chronic paranasal sinusitis. Recurrent sinopulmonary infection, the major determinant for diagnosing immunodeficiency, is the most common clinical manifestation of the disease. A 17-year-old female patient presented with dyspnea, cough, sputum, nasal congestion, and rhinorrhea for more than 5 years. Nasal symptoms and dyspnea had not been controlled by intermittent treatment with mucolytics and antibiotics from primary clinics since 3 months before visiting our clinic. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed situs inversus, dextrocardia and bronchiectasis. Paranasal sinus series revealed mucosal thickening and haziness on both maxillary sinus. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 was decreased, but total IgG was within normal range. Under the diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome with IgG4 deficiency, monthly intravenous IgG (IVIG) treatment was performed for 6 months. Her symptoms were well controlled and the frequency of antibiotics use was markedly decreased. We report a patient having the Kartagener syndrome with IgG4 deficiency that was successfully controlled with a 6-month-treatment of IVIG.
Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bronchiectasis ; Cough ; Dextrocardia ; Dyspnea ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Expectorants ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Kartagener Syndrome ; Maxillary Sinus ; Reference Values ; Sinusitis ; Situs Inversus ; Sputum ; Thorax