No abstract available.

Bacteroides fragilis is a Gram negative nonsporulating anaerobic rod bacterium that makes up about 1 to 2% of the norrnal human colonic microflora. In 1984, Myer et al. reported that some strains of B. fragilis produce enterotoxin and cause diarrheal disease in cattle and human. Since then it has been termed enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF). In this study, we tried to detect enterotoxin gene from 37 B. fragilis strains, isolated in Korean patients, to confirm the existence of ETBF and usefulness of PCR as a rapid diagnosis method. By this method, we identified 9 ETBF strains and confirmed their pathogenesis by cytotoxicity test. No significant cross- reactivity with other anaerobes or aerobes was observed. Thus, the PCR method may be considered useful for the sensitive and rapid detection of anaerobic infections. And the entire amplified PCR mixture was ligated into a pT7Blue T-vector and transformed into E. coli. When the nucleotide sequences of cloned PCR products were compared with reported enterotoxin gene, pBF529 inserted DNA sequence was nearly in good agreement with it but pBF570 inserted DNA sequence showed some difference at nucleotide 270-300. A search for nucleotide sequence homologies revealed that pBF529 exhibited 99%, but pBF570 indicated only 90% identity with reported enterotoxin gene. According to these results, it was suggested that ETBF toxin can be differentiated into at least 2 subtypes.
Animals ; Bacteroides fragilis* ; Bacteroides* ; Base Sequence ; Cattle ; Clone Cells ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Enterotoxins* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among blood glucose, HbA1c, and self management comparing these with general and illness characteristics of subjects with Type II Diabetes living in the community. METHODS: Using a comprehensive survey developed for the study, data were collected from 82 type II diabetes patients who were registered at five community health departments. The variables of self management, blood glucose and HbA1c were assessed by nurses. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient to compare self management and level of HbA1c by subject's general and illness characteristics and to examine the relationships among variables. RESULTS: About 73.2% of the subjects' HbA1c were 7.0% or higher and 54.9% of subjects' blood glucose were 200 mg/dL or higher. The level of self management was moderate. Most frequently perceived reasons for failure of blood glucose control were dietary failure (32.9%). There was significant relationship between self management and HbA1c(r=-.223, p=.040). The mean score of self management were higher among female (t=-2.37, p=.021), who are not on diabetes medication (t=6.70, p=.011). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive intervention is needed to improve dietary self management, especially for male and those who is on diabetes medication.
Blood Glucose ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Self Care

Theophylline has been used for more than 50 years to treat bronchial asthma, and theophylline toxicity continues to be an encountered clinical problem. With suicidal intention, a 61-year-old depressive male patient was sent to the hospital after ingestion of overdose theophylline. He had been followed up for bronchial asthma with about 10 microgram/ mL average plasma theophylline level. On arrival, he complained of dyspnea, palpitation and the plasma theophylline level was 252 microgram/mL. After 2 hours of ingestion, hypotension and tachycardia developed (Systolic blood pressure 50 mmHg, heart rate 190/ min). Other symptoms and signs were stuporous mental state and hypoxemia. Patient's peak plasma theophylline level reached 402 microgram/mL after 3 hours. beta-blocker, dopamine and midazolam were used for control of tachycardia, hypotension and prevention of seizure respectively. After Gastric lavage and administration of charchoal, he was treated with hemoperfusion for 3.5 hours, and serum level decreased. The patient was discharged in good health after 17 days.
Anoxia ; Asthma ; Blood Pressure ; Dopamine ; Dyspnea ; Eating ; Gastric Lavage ; Heart Rate ; Hemoperfusion* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intention ; Male ; Midazolam ; Middle Aged ; Plasma ; Seizures ; Stupor ; Tachycardia ; Theophylline*

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of com-mon bile duct stone extraction by conditions and methods. METHODS: Endoscopic sphinc-terotomies with stone extraction were practiced in 71 patients with common bile duct stones by basket extraction, balloon extraction and mechanical lithotripsy. RESULTS: 1) In 71 patients with CBD stone, sex distribution showed predominence in females (56.3%) and most of the cases were over 60 years old. 2) After sphincterotomy, the overall success rate of the stone extraction was 87.3% (with balloon and basket or mechanical lithotrispy). The removal methods of the stone extractions were varied, but the most commonly used method was basket extraction (50.7%). 3) The complications of sphicterotomy were noted in 10 cases and in 8 cases minor bleeding was stopped with a hypertonic saline epinephrine injection. 4) After the stone extraction, counts and levels of leukocyte, aspartate transami-nase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were significantly improved (p <0.05). 5) Removal methods according to stone size did not show a signifi-cant difference, but the mean size of the stones was different. According to the several methods, the mean diameter of stones were different. The stone size was 1.1 cm in the case of spontaneous removal, 1.4 cm in balloon or basket removal, 1.9 cm in mechanical lithotripsy and 2.0 cm in surgical removal. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stone extraction was effective and safe method with low rate of complications. However there were some significant difficulties in removing large or impacted stones, therefore EHL, ESWL or operation should be considered.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartic Acid ; Bile Ducts ; Bilirubin ; Common Bile Duct* ; Epinephrine ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Lithotripsy ; Middle Aged ; Sex Distribution

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various gastric and duodenal lesions with gastrofiberscopy were observed in patients with obstructive biliary disease. METHODS: A clinical analysis of the endoscopic findings was carried out on 88 patients with obstructive biliary disease, from February 1994 to January 1998, in the department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital. RESULTS: 1) In the 88 patients, sex distribution showed predominance in the males (47/41) and most of the cases involved those in their 60's. 2) The obstructive biliary diseases were included, common bile duct stones (53.4%), common bile duct cancer (18.2%), pancreatic cancer (18.2%), Klatskin tumor (4.5%) and common hepatic duct cancer (3.4%). 3) The gastroduodenal lesions involved in the obstructive biliary diseases were, erosive gastritis (22.7%), duodenal ulcer (8.0%), gastric ulcer (5.7%), and acute duodenitis (3.4%) in orders. CONCLUSIONS: Significant upper gastrointestinal lesions were found in obstructive biliary disease.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Common Bile Duct ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Duodenitis ; Gastritis ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Klatskin's Tumor ; Male ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Sex Distribution ; Stomach Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of vocal cord palsy (VCP) in acute ischemic stroke patients and its influence on aspiration risk. METHOD: Fifty patients with first-ever acute stroke were enrolled. The mean age was 68.3 years and there were 21 men and 29 women. Based on clinical and neuroimaging findings, their stroke subtype was categorized into cortical/ subcortical (Group A), lateral medulla (Group B) and other brainstem (Group C). We examined them by using flexible fiberoptic rhinolaryngoscope and videofluroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) within 2 weeks after stroke onset. The Penetration - Aspiration Scale (PAS) was used to score each VFSS. RESULTS: Among the 50 patients, VCP was found in 15 (30%): 15.8% of group A, 100% of group B and 40% of group C. VCP was contralateral to the brain lesion in group A and ipsilateral in 85.7% of group B. Aspiration risk was found in 38% of the all patients and 53% of VCP had aspiration risk. No differences in the incidence of aspiration risk were noted according to VCP (chi-square=2.138, p=0.144). CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between VCP and aspiration risk in acute ischemic stroke patients. Although VCP is a known risk factor for aspiration, other factors are important in determining an effective swallowing.
Brain ; Brain Stem ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neuroimaging ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; Vocal Cords

BACKGROUND: The impact of the immune response on cancer gene therapy using viral vectors to deliver a "suicide gene" is currently unclear. A vigrous immune response targeted at viral proteins or transgene may enhance the efficacy of tumor destruction and even augment responses to tumor antigens. These responses may involve the release of cytokines and stimulation of tumor specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that enhance therapeutic efficacy. On the other hand, a vigorous rapid cellular immune response may destroy cells expressing the therapeutic gene and attenuate the response to therapy. Furthermore, development of neutralizing antibody responses may prevent readministration of virus, a potentially significant limitation. Evaluating the significance of these limitations in animal models and developing solutions are therefore of obvious importance. METHODS: After retroviral transduction of mouse mesothelioma cell line(AB12) with Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene in vitro, subcutaneous flank tumors were established. To study the effect of intact immune system on efficacy of tumor erradication, the ability of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system to inhibit tumor growth was compared among normal Balb/c mice, immunodeficient Balb/c-nude and SCID mice, and Balb/c mice immunosuppressed with cyclosporin. RESULTS: Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c mice compared with immunodeficient Balb/c-nude mice and SCID mice(in immunodeficient mice, there were no growth inhibition by ganciclovir treatment). Ganciclovir treatment resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth in non-cyclosporin (CSA) treated Balb/c mice compared with CSA treated Balb/c mice. On day 8, mean ganciclovir-treated tumor volume were 65% of control tumor volume in Balb/c mice versus 77% control tumor volume in CSA-treated Balb/c mice. This effect was still evident during therapy (day 11 and 13). On day 13, non-CSA treated tumor volume was 35% of control tumor volume versus 60% of control tumor volume in CSA treated Balb/c mice. Duration of expression of HSVtk was not affected by the immunosuppression with CSA. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the immune responses against retrovirally transduced cells enhance the efficacy of the HSVtk/ganciclovir system. These findings have important implications for clinical trials using currently available retrovirus vectors as well as for future vector design.
Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Cyclosporine ; Cytokines ; Ganciclovir ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Genetic Therapy* ; Hand ; Herpes Simplex* ; Immune System* ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunosuppression ; Mesothelioma ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Models, Animal ; Phosphotransferases* ; Retroviridae ; Simplexvirus* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Thymidine Kinase ; Transgenes ; Tumor Burden ; Viral Proteins ; Zidovudine

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*

BACKGROUND: We performed the study on the changes of beta2-microglobulin(beta2M) clearance and urea reduction ratio after reuse of dialyzers with three different membranes. METHODS: 9 patients who had received regular hemodialysis more than five years were enrolled. Three kinds of dialyzer membrane were used; i.e. : Two of them were high-flux and the other was low-flux. Dialyzer reprocessing was performed by an automated machine using glutaraldehyde and bleach. Each dialyzer was reused 10 times. Solute clearance was determined for each dialyzer after the 1st, 5th, 8th and 10th reuse. RESULTS: Urea clearance was well maintained after reuse with both high-flux and low-flux membrane but beta2M clearance was significantly greater with high-flux dialyzers than low-flux dialyzer. Effects of each dialyzer reuse on beta2M clearance showed no significant decrease until the 10th reuse and no significant difference in beta2M clearance between the two high-flux dialyzers(polyamide vs PEPA membrane, p= 0.197). CONCLUSION: Reuse of dialyzers was cost-effective. After reuse of dialyzer, clearance of solute was maintained in both small and large solutes until the 10 th reuse. Further study is needed regarding the maintenance of solute clearance with increased number of reuses.
Blood Urea Nitrogen* ; Cellulose ; Glutaral ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Nylons ; Renal Dialysis ; Urea