No abstract available.
Spine* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

A novel bacteriophage, designated as VPP97, that infects the strains of Vibiro parahaemolyticus (hallophilic, Gram-negative bacterium) isolated most commonly from marine environments, has been discovered, and several of its properties have been determined. The plaques were clear and sized 0.6-1.0 mm in diameter. The virion forms a single band on 70% sucrose gradient and p1.50 CsC1 gradient by sucrose gradient centrifugation and CsCI gradient centrifugation respectively. It has a hexagonal head and a relatively long tail, as shown by electron microscopy. Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio furnissii were also sensitive to this phage It was almost totally inactivated at 70 degree C and at pH below 5 or over 10. The nucleic acid of VPP97 is composed of DNA. The VPP97 had 9 specific structural proteins sized between 21.5 kDa and 97.4 kDa on SDS-PAGE. When V. parahaemolyticus cultures were treated with either phage VPP97 or one of the several antibiotics for 2 hours, the viable number of V. parahaemolyticus treated with the phage VPP97 is lower than that treated with chloramphenicol, erythromycin or penicillin, but not lower than that treated with tetracycline. Mice that have responded to the phage treatment revealed the lower numbers of V. parahaemolyticus in small intestine and less damage on small intestine compared to the untreated mice. Therefore, we suggest that the phage treatment appears effective to the infection by V. parahaemolyticus.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteriophages* ; Centrifugation ; Chloramphenicol ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Erythromycin ; Head ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestine, Small ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron ; Penicillins ; Sucrose ; Tail ; Tetracycline ; Vibrio alginolyticus ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus* ; Vibrio* ; Virion

BACKGROUND: Although a history of febrile convulsion (FC) is common in epilepsy patients, the preferential associa-tion of febrile convulsion with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is not clear. METHODS:We obtained the FC data from "Paik and Bongsang hospital" epilepsy clinic. We classified epilepsy syndromes into generalized epilepsy (GE), temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), extratemporal epilepsy (ETLE), unclassified partial and undetermined epilepsy by standardized criteria. The incidence of antecedent FC was evaluated in relation to the epilepsy classifications. We calculated kappa values for inter and intra observer reliability for the classifications of epilepsy syndromes. RESULTS: The agreement of epilepsy classifications were reliable (intra-observer kappa value=0.78, inter-observer kappa value=0.77). Thirteen percent of the studied patients (72/537) had a history of FC and 38% of FC (27/72) were complex types of FC. TLE was more likely to be preceded by FC 25% (42/166) than ETLE 6% (12/189), p<0.05 or GE 13% (12/93), p<0.05 and 85% of complex FC (23/27) preceded TLE. GE however, was more likely to have non-complex FC 100% (12/12) than partial epilepsy 55% (32/58), p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS We therefore conclude and agree that FC should be preferentially associated with TLE.
Classification ; Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Generalized ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Seizures, Febrile* ; Temporal Lobe*

OBJECTIVE: Panic disorder has been suggested to be divided into the respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes in terms of its clinical presentations. The present study aimed to investigate whether there are any differences in treatment response and clinical characteristics between the respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes of panic disorder patients. METHODS: Among the 48 patients those who completed the study, 25 panic disorder patients were classified as the respiratory subtype, whereas 23 panic disorder patients were classified as the non-respiratory subtype. All patients were treated with escitalopram or paroxetine for 12 weeks. We measured clinical and psychological characteristics before and after pharmacotherapy using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T, STAI-S), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). RESULTS: The prevalence of the agoraphobia was significantly higher in the respiratory group than the non-respiratory group although there were no differences in gender and medication between the two groups. The respiratory group showed higher scores on the fear of respiratory symptoms of the ASI-R. In addition, after pharmacotherapy, the respiratory group showed more improvement in panic symptoms than the non-respiratory group. CONCLUSION: Panic disorder patients with the respiratory subtype showed more severe clinical presentations, but a greater treatment response to SSRIs than those with non-respiratory subtype. Thus, classification of panic disorder patients as respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes may be useful to predict clinical course and treatment response to SSRIs.
Agoraphobia ; Anxiety ; Citalopram ; Classification ; Depression ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Panic ; Panic Disorder* ; Paroxetine ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; Treatment Outcome

Background: The effects of anesthetic techniques on postdural puncture backache (PDPB) have not been specifically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of PDPB between median and paramedian techniques. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia by either a median (Group M, n = 50) or paramedian (Group P, n = 50) approach.We recorded each patient’s personal number of puncture attempts, surgical position, and operation duration. We investigated the incidence and intensity of back pain 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively. Results: The overall incidence of PDPB was higher in the Group M (18/50, 36%) than in the Group P (8/50, 16%) (P =0.023). Twenty-four hours after surgery, 8 patients in Group M and 6 patients in Group P complained of back pain, and the average numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores showed no evidence of differences. Seven days after the surgery, 16 patients in the Group M and 5 patients in the Group P complained of pain (P = 0.007); their NRS scores did not significantly differ. After 1 month, 5 patients in the Group M and 1 patient in the Group P complained of pain. Only one patient in each group complained of pain after 3 months. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that spinal anesthesia using the paramedian approach reduces the incidence of PDPB during the early postoperative period.

Background: The effects of anesthetic techniques on postdural puncture backache (PDPB) have not been specifically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of PDPB between median and paramedian techniques. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia by either a median (Group M, n = 50) or paramedian (Group P, n = 50) approach.We recorded each patient’s personal number of puncture attempts, surgical position, and operation duration. We investigated the incidence and intensity of back pain 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively. Results: The overall incidence of PDPB was higher in the Group M (18/50, 36%) than in the Group P (8/50, 16%) (P =0.023). Twenty-four hours after surgery, 8 patients in Group M and 6 patients in Group P complained of back pain, and the average numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores showed no evidence of differences. Seven days after the surgery, 16 patients in the Group M and 5 patients in the Group P complained of pain (P = 0.007); their NRS scores did not significantly differ. After 1 month, 5 patients in the Group M and 1 patient in the Group P complained of pain. Only one patient in each group complained of pain after 3 months. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that spinal anesthesia using the paramedian approach reduces the incidence of PDPB during the early postoperative period.

Grisel’s syndrome is a non-traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation for which the underlying mechanism has not yet been identified. It is known to occur following upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The diagnosis of Grisel’s syndrome can be made by plain x-ray, CT scanning, and/or MRI scanning. The first choice of treatment is conservative therapy such as bed rest, muscle relaxation, analgesic therapy, antibiotics, and simple traction. While Grisel’s syndrome occurs rarely, delayed treatment may lead to neurological complications or requires surgical treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing fatal outcome. We report the case of a 9-year-old male who developed Grisel’s syndrome after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Ovarian Pregnacy is a rare form of ectopic pregnacy. Its estimated overall incidence is highly variable, but improved diagnosis of acute hemoperitoneum of ovarian pregnancy may reveal a high incidence than reported earlier. Ovarian pregnancy occurs in the corpus luteum, and is usually accompanied with the rupture of the ovary and massive hemoperitoneum. It presents as a hemorragic ovary and frequently misdiagnosed as a ruptured corpus luteum. Risk facters to ovarian pregnacy include a history of pelvic inflammatory disease(PID), prior pelvic surgery, and use of an intrauterine contraceptive device(IUD). We have experienced two cases of ovarian pregnancy and reviewed it briefly.
Corpus Luteum ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemoperitoneum ; Incidence ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Rupture

PURPOSE: To review the recent changes in the clinical features of ocular trauma in pediatric patients younger than 15 years of age. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study using clinical records of 147 patients from 1993 to 1998, and those of 175 pediatric patients younger than 15 years old from 2003 to 2007. RESULTS: The most common cause of pediatric ocular trauma in the 2000's was fist blow (66 patients, 37.7%), while that in the 1990's was trauma by stick or branch (20 patients, 13.6%) (p < 0.001). The number of patients with perforating ocular trauma decreased to 25 patients (14.3%) in the 2000's, from 55 patients (37.4%) in the 1990's (p < 0.001). The number of patients who received surgery due to ocular trauma was 87 (59.2%) in the 1990's, decreasing to 53 (30.3%) in the 2000's (p < 0.001). The number of orbital wall reconstructions increased from 6 patients (6.9%) in the 1990's to 20 patients (37.7%) in the 2000's, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perforating ocular trauma decreased in children in the studied age range, but non-perforating injuries caused by fist blow were increased in the years studied. These results indicate that management or establishment of preventive for pediatric violence will be helpful to lower the frequency of pediatric ocular traumas.
Child ; Eye ; Humans ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; Violence

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of high risk patient with osteopenia requiring pharmacologic treatment and investigate the difference of 10-year fracture probability whether bone mineral density (BMD) include or not in Korean FRAX model. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Many people with the fracture have osteopenia rather than osteoporosis, and BMD alone could be considered as a chance to prevent fracture. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-nine patients who was diagnosed as osteopenia were divided into two groups according to age (group 1, under 65 years; group 2, over 65 years), and 10-year fracture probabilities were calculated by FRAX algorithm with and without femur neck T-score. RESULTS: The high risk patients of the fracture who had above 3% of 10-year hip fracture probability were 15 cases in group 1 and 121 cases in group 2. In 193 patients of group 1, the mean 10-year fracture probability with BMD was significantly higher than the results without BMD (hip fracture: p=0.04, major osteoporotic fracture: p=0.01). Unlike the results of the group 1, the mean 10-year fracture probability without BMD was significantly higher than the results with BMD in 176 patients of group 2 (hip fracture: p=0.01, major osteoporotic fracture: p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Total of 136 cases (36.8%) as a high risk of the fracture with osteopenia could be overlooked treatment eligibility in Korean. The Korean FRAX model without BMD could be effective in predicting fracture risk especially in the individuals who were over 65 years.
Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment