No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogens* ; Humans*

Although severe hemolytic diseases of the newborn triggered by anti-M are very rare, anti-M alloantibodies have been known to be associated with a cause of multipie intrauterine death. Serological and hematological investigations have been reported on a woman who experienced four multiple intrauterine deaths due to anti-M. The mothers blood type was of group A, NN and the husbands cells were of group B, MN. In the serological examination at 9th week's gestation of the fifth pregnancy, anti-M antibodies were identified in her serum. The antibodies comprised IgM saline agglutinin at a titer of 16 at 4 degrees C and IgG agglutinin reacted in an indirect antiglobulin technique at a titer of 4 at 37 degrees C. She underwent high-dose immunoglobulin infusion therapy on a monthly program from 3rd month gestation and a total of 6 times of intravenous immunoglobulin was given. The anti-M titer did not rise during the pregnancy. She delivered a live girl by cesarean section at the 37th week because of a failure of induction. The childs blood type was of group O, MN. The child was discharged and developed normally.
Antibodies ; Cesarean Section ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins* ; Infant, Newborn ; Isoantibodies ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Spouses

The endemic status of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis along the Geum-gang (River) in Okcheon-gun (County) in Korea was examined. From February to December 2000, stools of total 1,081 inhabitants living in 5 villages were examined. Each stool specimen was examined by both the cellophane thick smear method and the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Egg-positive cases were further analyzed by Stoll's egg-counting technique, and praziquantel was administered to positive cases. The egg-positive rates for Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus species were 9.3% and 5.5%, respectively, and the double infection rate was 3.5%. The numbers of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces of C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. were 918 +/-1.463 and 711+/-947, respectively. The egg-positive rates for C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in the riverside area were 14.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the inland area (3.2% and 1.7%, respectively). The egg-positive rates of C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in males (16.7% and 10.0%) were significantly higher than those of females (3.5% and 1.8%). However, there were no significant differences of EPG values between localities and sexes. The prevalence of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in this survey was significantly lower than that in the previous reports. However, there is still a high prevalence of infection with C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in this region, especially in the riverside area.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Child ; Clonorchiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Clonorchis sinensis/isolation & purification ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Heterophyidae/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parasite Egg Count ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for recurrent spontaneous abortion. Immunologic causes in either alloimmune or autoimmune type have been suggested for more than 80% of these patients. Various immunotherapy including paternal leukocyte transfusion has been used, but there is controversy on its efficacy and side-effects. The proposed immunomodulatory mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin includes passive transfer of blocking or anti-idiotype antibody, blockade of Fc receptors, enhancement of supressor T-cell function, down regulation of B cell function. In this study, we used intravenous immunoglobulin for the prevention of spontaneous abortion. Five patients with a history of two or more spontaneous abortions were enrolled in this study. Other etiologic factors such as anatomical, chromosomal, hormonal factors were excluded. Three of them were positive for anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA). When the pregnancy was diagnosed at about five weeks of gestation, 30 g intravenous immunoglobulin was administered and continued up to 28 weeks with three weeks. Ongoing pregnancy beyond 20 weeks was considered successful. Four among five patients (80%) was successful in maintaining pregnancy now ongoing 20, 31, 33, 39 weeks. One patient with ACA positive had abartion due to anembryonic pregnancy. No adverse reaction was observed during the treatment. From these preliminary data, it is suggested that intravenous immunoglobulin treatment may be effective in maintaining pregnancy in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion, Further studies are needed to clarify the its immunomodulatory mechanism and establish a more simplified protocol limiting the use at certain critical period of time.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunotherapy ; Leukocyte Transfusion ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Fc ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metallic stent is an effective method in palliative treatment of malignant biliary stricture. However, it is controvesial in benign biliary stricture due to recurrent jaundice, cholangtitis, and finally, obstruction of stent. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effectiveness of Gianturco expandable metallic stents in benign biliary strictures. METHODS: We inserted Gianturco self-expandable metallic stent in 13 patients (42~69 years old, 6 men and 7 women) with benign biliary stricture between November 1991 and September 1994 in Wonkwang University Hospital. All patients had a previous history of biliary surgery and underwent balloon dilatation procedure for management of strictures. Insertion routes were percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tracks in 8 cases and T-tube tracks in 5 cases. The insertion site was the right intrahepatic duct in 5 cases, the left intrahepatic duct in 2 cases, both intrahepatic ducts in 1 case, common hepatic duct in 1 case, and distal common bile ducts in 4 cases. The stents used were 2~6cm in length and 8~12mm in diameter. The follow-up period was 46months to 81months(mean, 67months). RESULTS: The initial technical success rate was 100% with good immediate patency in all patients. Nine patients(69.2%) had no recurrence of the initial strictures during the follow-up period and 4 patients(30.7%) had further symptoms of biliary obstruction caused by recurrent cholangitis or intrahepatic duct stone formation. These 4 recurrent biliary strictures were treated by surgical methods. The recurrent stricture sites were distal common bile duct(1case), left intrahepatic duct(1case), both intrahepatic ducts(1case), and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy site(1case). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of long-term follow-up, expandable metallic stent is a useful method in recurrent biliary strictures, especially in the case where operation is not feasible; poor risk patients, patients refusing operation, multiple biliary operation.
Bile ; Cholangitis ; Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Male ; Palliative Care ; Recurrence ; Stents*

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome(HWWs) is a rare variant of Mullerian ductal anomalies characterized by the presence of a hemivaginal septum, a didelphic uterus, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. It usually presents after menarche with progressive pelvic pain, and palpable mass due to hemihematocolpos. If a cystic mass is detected behind the urinary bladder in children, in association with the absence of a kidney, the diagnosis of uterus didelphys with imperforate vagina and hydrocolpos should be considered. When renal agenesis is found in asymptomatic children, the small size and the tubular shape of the uterus makes it almost impossible to evaluate uterine anomalies, so follow-up should be performed until the end of puberty. Appropriate preoperative diagnosis and treatment will prevent unnecessary procedures and offer relief of symptoms. We report one case of didelphic uterus with blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis with biopsy-proven thin glomerular basement membrane disease which is not related to the above syndrome.
Adolescent ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Basement Membrane* ; Humans ; Hydrocolpos ; Kidney ; Menarche ; Pelvic Pain ; Puberty ; Unnecessary Procedures ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterus* ; Vagina

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of posterolateral approach for open reduction and internal fixation of posterior malleolar fragment with trimalleolar fracture of ankle joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 27 cases of trimalleolar fracture in our hospital from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2007. We investigated 10 patients who underwent operation with the posterolateral approach. The mean follow up period was 20 (6-36) months. Preoperative posterior malleolar fragment involved above 25% of articular surface in 10 cases and displaced more than 2 mm in 4 cases. We analyzed the radiologic type of posterior malleolar fragments and complications, and evaluated the AOFAS score. RESULTS: All cases showed primary union mean 11.8 (8-14) weeks. The complication focal skin necrosis in one case and all patients showed excellent AOFAS score. CONCLUSION: The posterolateral approach may be a useful for open reduction and internal fixation of posterior malleolar fragment with trimalleolar fracture, especially simultaneous management of lateral malleolar fracture.
Ankle Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Skin

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a congenital macrodactyly characterized by progressive overgrowth of all the mesenchymal elements of a digit or digits with a disproportionate increase in the fibroadipose tissue. We reported a case of macrodystrophia lipomatosa of the foot, which is a rare case, and reviewed the literatures.
Fingers ; Foot ; Limb Deformities, Congenital

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ experience with caring for COVID-19 patients in a negative pressure room amid the spread of the pandemic. Methods: This study was a qualitative research, and focus group interviews were used to collect data. Three focus groups comprising 19 nurses were interviewed from February 17 to 25, 2021. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim with the consent of the participants. The verbatim transcripts were scrutinized using thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes emerged from the analysis: ‘Struggling in an isolated space’ and ’Limitations of nursing infrastructure and system’. The nurses caring for COVID-19 patients experienced anxiety and fear about the infection, physical exhaustion, emotional burnout, and a sense of duty as a nurse. They also acknowledged the lack of guidelines, increased task and burden, limitations of nursing care, and the demand for improving the limitations of the nursing system. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that nurses caring for COVID-19 patients encounter physical and emotional problems within the limited healthcare system. The study suggests that comprehensive interventions are needed for nurses. Furthermore, detailed guidelines, strengthening of nursing personnel, and improvements to the nursing system are vital to effectively cope with the pandemic. The government and medical institutions should be aware of the needs of nurses and what they are going through, and make efforts to improve the quality of life of healthcare workers and create a safe healthcare environment.

Although some reports have been published on the protective effect of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii surface membrane proteins, few address the inhibitory activity of antibodies to dense granular proteins (GRA proteins). Therefore, we performed a series of experiments to evaluate the inhibitory effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to GRA proteins (GRA2, 28 kDa; GRA6, 32 kDa) and surface membrane protein (SAG1, 30 kDa) on the invasion of T. gondii tachyzoites. Passive immunization of mice with one of three mAbs following challenge with a lethal dose of tachyzoites significantly increased survival compared with results for mice treated with control ascites. The survival times of mice challenged with tachyzoites pretreated with anti-GRA6 or anti-SAG1 mAb were significantly increased. Mice that received tachyzoites pretreated with both mAb and complement had longer survival times than those that received tachyzoites pretreated with mAb alone. Invasion of tachyzoites into fibroblasts and macrophages was significantly inhibited in the anti-GRA2, anti-GRA6 or anti-SAG1 mAb pretreated group. Pretreatment with mAb and complement inhibited invasion of tachyzoites in both fibroblasts and macrophages. These results suggest that specific antibodies to dense-granule molecules may be useful for controlling infection with T. gondii.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Antigens, Protozoan ; Female ; Fibroblasts/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Relations ; Immunization, Passive ; Macrophages/parasitology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Protozoan Proteins/*immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxoplasma/*pathogenicity ; Toxoplasmosis/parasitology/*therapy