Quantitative PCR and plaque assay are powerful virological techniques used to measure the load of defective or infectious virus in mouse and human. However, these methods display limitations such as cross contamination and long run-time. Here, we describe a novel technique termed as semi-functional quantitative flow cytometry (SFQF) for the accurate estimation of the quantity of infectious lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). LCMV titration method using flow cytometry was previously developed but has technical shortcomings, owing to the less optimized parameters such as cell overgrowth, plate scale, and detection threshold. Therefore, we first established optimized conditions for SFQF assay using LCMV nucleoprotein (NP)-specific antibody to evaluate the threshold of the virus detection range in the plaque assay. We subsequently demonstrated that the optimization of the method increased the sensitivity of virus detection. We revealed several new advantages of SFQF assay, which overcomes some of the previously contentious points, and established an upgraded version of the previously reported flow cytometric titration assay. This method extends the detection scale to the level of single cell, allowing extension of its application for in vivo detection of infected cells and their phenotypic analysis. Thus, SFQF assay may serve as an alternative analytical tool for ensuring the reliability of LCMV titration and can be used with other types of viruses using target-specific antibodies.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Flow Cytometry* ; Humans ; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus* ; Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis* ; Methods ; Mice ; Nucleoproteins ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are associated with hemodynamic pressor responses, which lead to adverse effect. Opioids have been used to reduce the hemodynamic change. The purpose of this study was to investigate an optimal dosage of remifentanil for attenuating hemodynamic change. METHODS: 120 ASA class 1-2 patients, scheduled for elective surgery, were divided randomly into 4 groups. Anesthesia was induced with vecuronium priming dose (0.01 mg/kg) and TCI of propofol target concentration 8 microgram/ml. This was reduced to 4 microgram/ml when the effect-site concentration had been 3 microgram/ml. After the effect-site concentration had reached 4 microgram/ml, vecuronium (0.09 mg/kg) was given. At the same time, control group received normal saline, group R0.25 received remifentanil 0.25 microgram/kg, group R0.5 received remifentanil 0.5 microgram/kg, group R1 received remifentanil 1 microgram/kg over 60s and an infusion 0.2 microgram/kg/min. Intubation was performed after maximum depression of the single twitch was shown by single twitch stimulation test. Sytolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and BIS value were measured preinduction, after propofol induction, immediately before and after intubation and 1, 2, 3, 4 minutes after intubation, respectively. RESULTS: Post-intubation mean arterial pressure decreased significantly from pre-intubation value in group R0.5 and R1 (P < 0.05). In group R0.5 and R1, hypotension and bradycardia occurred but there were no significant differences in their incidence between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that remifentanil 0.5 microgram/kg bolus and an infusion of 0.2 microgram/kg/min attenuate the pressor response to tracheal intubation in patients anesthetized with propofol TCI.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Depression ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopy ; Propofol* ; Vecuronium Bromide

PURPOSE: In this study, we tried to develop the technique of osteotomy for hallux valgus. The new modified technique of osteotomy was accomplished with even more greater stability, accurate correction of the deformity and more effective than 'chevron' osteotomy in terms of correction of the deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1998 and December 2001, 55 cases of new modified osteotomy for hallux valgus were performed for 39 patients, 16 of whom underwent operation of both feet. Operations were made for 34 women and 5 men whose average age was 46 years old (range, 20~71 years). Average follow up period was three years (range, 2~5 years), and during the follow up, the patients underwent physical examination and assessment with use of the American Orthpaedic Foot and Ankle Society's hallux-metatarso-phalangealinterphalangeal scale8) and standard foot radiographic measurements16). RESULTS: 37 patients (53 cases) out of 39 patients (55 cases) had no pain, good cosmesis, and all of the patients were satisfied with the results of the operation. Two had occasional mild discomfort. The average score according to the hallux-metatarso-phallangeal-interphalangeal scale8) was 93.2 points (range, 78~100 points). The average preoperative intermetatarsal angle was 14.4 degrees, which was decreased to 7.9 degrees after the osteotomy with an average correction of 6.5 degrees and The average preoperative hallux valgus angle was 34.1 degrees, which was decreased to 11.1 degrees after the osteotomy with an average correction of 23 degrees. This new modified technique would prevent the angulation or shortening at the osteotomy site and it was also even more stable at osteotomy site, and could do even more effective and accurate correction of the deformity than conventional Chevron osteotomy. CONCLUSION: New modified chevron osteotomy for the treatment of symptomatic hallux valgus was done in 55 cases, and the results were satisfactory in all cases. This method was more stable at the osteotomy site than conventional Chevron osteotomy and was also possible to do more accurate and more effective correction of the deformity. It was also easy to control the distal fragment of first metatarsal bone.
Ankle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy* ; Physical Examination

PURPOSE: To investigate the learning curve and its characteristics in our initial experiences with robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) with a new da Vinci-S surgical system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through inspection of the patients who underwent RLRP by a single urologic surgeon from July 2007 to May 2008, the variables related to surgery were evaluated prospectively. RESULTS: RLRP was performed in 50 patients. The patients' mean age (range) was 63 years (50-73 years), and 11 patients had a history of previous abdominal surgery. The mean total operation time was 281.6 min (190-455 min). The mean set-up time was 18.6 min (14-30 min), and the mean console time was 219.8 min (150-400 min). The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 375.7ml (200-800 ml). The overall margin-positive rate was 26% (13/50); it was 11.9% (5/42) for pT2 tumors and 100% (8/8) for pT3 tumors. Minor complications occurred in 5 patients. All complications were treated effectively with only conservative management. The total operation time, set-up time, console time, and EBL significantly decreased as the number of patients treated grew (Spearman's rank correlation, p<0.05; Rho=-0.49, -0.35, -0.54, -0.75, respectively). The mean total operation time, set-up time, console time, and EBL were significantly decreased in the last 35 patients who needed no transfusion (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of robotic surgery allowed the surgeon to complete the learning curve in a relatively short time period, with low perioperative complication rates and potentially good oncologic results, as indicated by the acceptable positive surgical margin in the patients with pathologically organ-confined disease.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Robotics

Vestibular neuronitis is characterized by sudden onset of vertigo, horizonto-rotatory spontaneous nystagmus, loss of caloric response on the affected side with normal otoscopic findings, normal hearing and no other neurological deficit. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unproven, though the viral origin is strongly considered. Herpes simplex virus-type 1, Mumps virus, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus may have a role in the disease. Mumps virus is among the other rare causes, so we introduce a case of 13-year old girl who developed sudden vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus, nausea, and vomiting preceded by mumps in her left parotid one week ago. She was diagnosed as a vestibular neuronitis clinically, and serum IgM Ab of mumps virus was detected positive. This case supports the possible role of mumps virus in the etiology of vestibular neuronitis.
Cytomegalovirus ; Hearing ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Methylmethacrylates ; Mumps ; Mumps virus ; Nausea ; Parotitis ; Polystyrenes ; Rubella virus ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Neuronitis ; Viruses ; Vomiting

Otosclerosis is a primary metabolic bone disease of the otic capsule and ossicles. It is one of the causes of acquired hearing loss, with clinical manifestations occurring in approximately 1% of individuals in some populations in the Western countries. Although the cause of otosclerosis is undetermined, the disease has a well established hereditary predisposition, with approximately half of all affected individuals having family members known to be affected. Many genetic studies of otosclerosis support an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with penetrance in the range of 20-40%. There have been a few reports of the clinically suspicious otosclerosis cases in Korea, but otosclerosis having familial forms have not been reported. We report one case of familial otosclerosis.
Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Korea ; Otosclerosis* ; Penetrance ; Wills

BACKGROUND: Some studies reported that lowering central venous pressure (LCVP) during liver resection could significantly reduce the intra-operative blood loss, however it is still controversial concerning LCVP induced renal dysfunction, hypovolemia, hemodynamic instability. This study evaluated the association of low central venous pressure with blood loss during liver resection comparing the control group. METHODS: A total 62 patients aged 20 to 70 underwent hepatectomy by the same group of surgeon were randomized into group L (CVP < 10 mmHg, n = 30) and control group C (CVP > 10 mmHg, n = 32) during dissection and lobectomy period. Data such as age, sex, concurrent disease, liver resection site (right or left), pre-, intra- and postoperative day 3 hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partitial thromboplastin time, intraoperative blood loss, urine output, transfusion volume, length of hospital stay were collected and compared between the two groups and t-test was used for comparison of results. RESULTS: The difference of total blood loss between two groups was 193.6 +/- 432.2 ml (group L; 589.1 +/- 380.8 ml, group C; 782.7 +/- 316.7 ml), however statistically insignificant (P value = 0.1243). Additionally, there were no significant differences in other data including the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest maintaining CVP under 10 mmHg is not effective in reducing blood loss during liver resection.
Bleeding Time ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Central Venous Pressure* ; Creatinine ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Length of Stay ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Prothrombin Time ; Thromboplastin

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study for clinical, radiographic assessment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the appropriate level of distal fusion for the posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis by investigating the relationship between the sagittal stable (the most proximal vertebra touched by the vertical line from the posterior-superior corner of the sacrum), first lordotic (just caudal to the first lordotic disc) and lowest instrumented vertebrae. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: It has been recommended that the distal level of fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis should include not only the distal end vertebra of kyphosis, but also the first lordotic disc beyond the transitional zone, distally. However, distal junctional breakdown was noted, even when these rules have been followed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients, with a mean age of 18, ranging from 13 to 38 years, who underwent long posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis, with a minimum of 2 years of follow up, were reviewed. The preoperative diagnosis included: Scheuermann`s disease (n=29), posttraumatic kyphosis (n=1) and postlaminectomy kyphosis (n=1). According to the level of distal fusion, the patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=24): lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV), including the sagittal stable vertebra (SSV), Group II (n=7): lowest instrumented vertebra proximal to the sagittal stable vertebra. Patients were evaluated utilizing both standing radiographs and chart reviews. RESULTS: The mean thoracic kyphosis was 86.6+/-8.5 before surgery, which had been corrected to 53.0+/-10.4 by the final follow-up, with a correction rate of 39%. The average sagittal balance was slightly negative (0.24+/-3.8 cm) before surgery, and became more negative (1.33+/-2.8 cm) by the final follow-up. There were no statistical differences in the thoracic kyphosis between the two groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference, with Group II having a more posterior translation of the center of the LIV from the posterior sacral vertical line, preoperatively, than at the final follow-up in Group I (p=0.003). In Group I, distal junctional problems developed in only 2 of the 24 (8%) patients, whereas in Group II, they occurred in 5 of the 7 (71%) patients (p<0.05). Despite extending the fusion to the first lordotic vertebra, distal junctional problems developed in 3 of the 8 (38%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The distal end of the fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis should include the sagittal stable vertebra. The levels of distal fusion that include the first lordotic vertebra, but not the sagittal stable vertebra, are not always appropriate for the prevention of postoperative distal junctional kyphosis.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine*

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study for clinical, radiographic assessment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the appropriate level of distal fusion for the posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis by investigating the relationship between the sagittal stable (the most proximal vertebra touched by the vertical line from the posterior-superior corner of the sacrum), first lordotic (just caudal to the first lordotic disc) and lowest instrumented vertebrae. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: It has been recommended that the distal level of fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis should include not only the distal end vertebra of kyphosis, but also the first lordotic disc beyond the transitional zone, distally. However, distal junctional breakdown was noted, even when these rules have been followed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients, with a mean age of 18, ranging from 13 to 38 years, who underwent long posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis, with a minimum of 2 years of follow up, were reviewed. The preoperative diagnosis included: Scheuermann`s disease (n=29), posttraumatic kyphosis (n=1) and postlaminectomy kyphosis (n=1). According to the level of distal fusion, the patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=24): lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV), including the sagittal stable vertebra (SSV), Group II (n=7): lowest instrumented vertebra proximal to the sagittal stable vertebra. Patients were evaluated utilizing both standing radiographs and chart reviews. RESULTS: The mean thoracic kyphosis was 86.6+/-8.5 before surgery, which had been corrected to 53.0+/-10.4 by the final follow-up, with a correction rate of 39%. The average sagittal balance was slightly negative (0.24+/-3.8 cm) before surgery, and became more negative (1.33+/-2.8 cm) by the final follow-up. There were no statistical differences in the thoracic kyphosis between the two groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference, with Group II having a more posterior translation of the center of the LIV from the posterior sacral vertical line, preoperatively, than at the final follow-up in Group I (p=0.003). In Group I, distal junctional problems developed in only 2 of the 24 (8%) patients, whereas in Group II, they occurred in 5 of the 7 (71%) patients (p<0.05). Despite extending the fusion to the first lordotic vertebra, distal junctional problems developed in 3 of the 8 (38%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The distal end of the fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis should include the sagittal stable vertebra. The levels of distal fusion that include the first lordotic vertebra, but not the sagittal stable vertebra, are not always appropriate for the prevention of postoperative distal junctional kyphosis.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine*

Actinomycosis is a rare form of disease that is caused by Actinomyces such as A. israelii and A. bovis, which may take the form of chronic, purulent inflammation of deep tissue evolves with necrosis, formation of sinuses and fibrotic mass. This disease arises in the head and neck area mainly in 55% and other places like that chest and the gastrointestinal tract occurs in 45%. Actinomycosis can present in a variety of forms and may mimic other infections or even neoplasms. Our case was 44-year-old man having painful indurated mass in his left TMJ area, otorrhea in his left ear and trismus. He was treated with surgical excision and biopsy confirmed actinomycosis. And after that, he was cured successfully with antibiotic therapy. We report this case of actinomycosis that developed in the left TMJ area with review articles.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Ear ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Head ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Thorax ; Trismus