Hepatitis E has traditionally been considered an endemic disease of developing countries. It generally spreads through contaminated water. However, seroprevalence studies have shown that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are not uncommon in industrialized countries. In addition, the number of autochthonous hepatitis E cases in these countries is increasing. Most HEV infections in developed countries can be traced to the ingestion of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat or sausages. Several animal species, including pigs, are known reservoirs of HEV that transmit the virus to humans. HEVs are now recognized as an emerging zoonotic agent. In this review, we describe the general characteristics of HEVs isolated from humans and animals, the risk factors for human HEV infection, and the current status of human vaccine development.
Animals* ; Developed Countries ; Developing Countries ; Eating ; Endemic Diseases ; Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans* ; Meat ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Swine ; Vaccines ; Viruses ; Water Pollution ; Zoonoses

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of xyloologosaccharide (XOS)-sugar mixture on glycemic index (GI) and blood glucose in human subjects. METHODS: Randomized double-blind cross-over studies were conducted to examine the effect of sucrose with 14% xyloologosaccharide powder (Xylo 14) and sucrose with 20% xylooligosaccharide powder (Xylo 20) on GI and postprandial glucose response at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. RESULTS: GIs of Xylo 14 and Xylo 20 were 60.0 +/- 23.5 classified within medium GI range, and 54.3 +/- 17.7 within low GI range, respectively. Xylo 14 and Xylo 20 showed significantly lower area under the glucose curve (AUC) for 0-15 min (p = 0.0113), 0-30 min (p = 0.0004), 0-45 min (p < 0.0001), 0-60 min (p < 0.0001), 0-90 min (p < 0.0001), and 0-120 min (p = 0.0001). In particular, compared with glucose, the blood glucose levels of Xylo 14 and Xylo 20 were significantly lower at every time point between 15 and 120 min. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that Xylo 14 and Xylo 20 had an acute suppressive effect on GI and the postprandial glucose surge.
Adult* ; Blood Glucose* ; Cross-Over Studies ; Glucose ; Glycemic Index* ; Humans ; Sucrose

Virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of the truncated capsid protein of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) were developed and immune responses of mice immunized with the VLPs were evaluated. IgG titers specific for the capsid protein of swine HEV were significantly higher for all groups of mice immunized with the VLPs than those of the negative control mice. Splenocytes from mice immunized with the VLPs also produced significantly greater quantities of interferon (IFN)-gamma than interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. These newly developed swine HEV VLPs have the capacity to induce antigen-specific antibody and IFN-gamma production in immunized mice.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Capsid Proteins/immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis E/immunology/*veterinary/virology ; Hepatitis E virus/*immunology ; Immunization/*veterinary ; Interferon-gamma/blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*immunology/virology ; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines/*immunology

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: Sagittal imbalance cannot be predicted depending on the degree of lumbar lordosis. Thus, we tried to evaluate the necessity of whole spine standing lateral radiograph through comparison of the spinal and pelvic parameter between supine lumbar lateral radiograph and whole spine standing lateral radiograph. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: No studies in the literature compare supine lumbar lateral radiograph and whole spine standing lateral radiograph. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly selected 50 males and 50 females among the patients over the age of 50 who visited our hospital for outpatient due to degenerative lumbar disease. Lumbar lordosis (sLL/wLL), sacral slope (sSS/wSS), and pelvic tilt (sPT/wPT) were measured and compared respectively by supine lumbar lateral radiograph and whole spine standing lateral radiograph. We categorized as group AI (sLL<30degrees) and group AII (sLL> or =30degrees) by supine lumbar lateral radiograph and analyzed them. We also categorized as group BI (SVA< or =5 cm) and group BII (SVA>5 cm) by whole spine standing lateral radiograph and analyzed them. RESULTS: There were no statistical difference in lumbar lordosis (sLL/wLL: 35.1degrees/37.7degrees) and pelvic parameter (sSS/wSS: 32degrees/31.7degrees, sPT/wPT: 24.3degrees/24.2degrees. sPI/wPI: 56.3degrees/58.2degrees) between supine lumbar lateral radiograph and whole spine standing lateral radiograph, and there were also no statistical difference between two groups (group AI & AII) in SVA, lumbar lordosis and pelvic parameter. Pelvic parameter compared by supine lumbar lateral radiograph and whole spine standing lateral radiograph based on sagittal balance was no significant difference, but lumbar lordosis appeared statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Sagittal imbalance appears quite a lot in patients with degenerative lumbar disease and supine lateral radiograph can't reflect the whole sagittal imbalance. So, whole spine standing lateral radiograph should be performed routinely to analyze the sagittal alignment.
Adult* ; Animals ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Male ; Outpatients ; Spine*

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can infect not only human but also several animals. This study has been conducted to evaluate the comprehensive anti-HEV seroprevalence in zoo animals in Korea. Anti-HEV antibodies were identified in 14 of 64 zoo animal species. HEV antibodies were detected for the first time in Eurasian Lynx, Setland Pony, Fallow Deer, Ezo Sika, Formosa Deer, East Wapitis, Barasingha, Corriedale, American Bison, Guanacos, Reticulated Giraffe, and Saanen. These results indicate that the several zoo animal species were exposed to HEV.
Animals ; Animals, Zoo ; Antibodies ; Bison ; Camelids, New World ; Deer ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis E ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Korea ; Lynx ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Taiwan

We have developed standards based on international criterions for the quality control of dose tested by the measurement institutions of individual exposure doses through improving the reliability of data on the exposure dose of individuals working in radioactive environment and securing the accuracy and reliability of individual dose measurements. Laws related to radiation dose applied to domestic institutions refer to ANSI N13.11?1993, but currently , in U.S. and some other countries the measurement of radiation doses is based on ANSI N13.11?2001 that reduced test categories and tightened the standards. We made efforts to simplify the standards and to reduce the number of dosimeters required in experiment, and avoided preventing or hindering the use of future technologies not approved under the current law such as glass dosimeter and optical stimulation dosimeter. The Quality Management Manual of Radiation Dosimetry Service, Assessment Manual of Radiation Dosimetry Service Accreditation Program, and the Personnel Dosimetry Performance-Criteria for Testing are documents applicable in supervising laboratories.
Accreditation ; Glass ; Jurisprudence ; Quality Control ; Radiometry

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical and laboratory findings of hereditary hemolytic anemia (HHA) in Korea from 1997 to 2006 and to develop the appropriate diagnostic approach for HHA. METHODS: By the use of questionnaires, information on the clinical and laboratory findings ofHHA diagnosed from 1997 to 2006 in Korea was collected and analyzed retrospectively. A total of 431 cases were enrolled in this study from 46 departments of 35 hospitals. RESULTS: The overall frequency of HHA did not change through the 10-year period for pediatrics but did show an increasing tendency for internal medicine. The overall male to female sex ratio did not show sex predominance (1.17:1), but a significant male predominance with a ratio of 1.49:1 was seen for pediatrics while a significant female predominance with a ratio of 1:1.97 was seen forinternal medicine. Of the total cases, 74.2% (282/431) were diagnosed before the age of 15 years. The etiologies of HHA were classified as red cell membrane defects, hemoglobinopathies, red cell enzyme deficiencies and unknown causes. There were 382 cases (88.6%) of red cell membrane defects with 376 cases (87.2%) of hereditary spherocytosis and 6 cases (1.4%) of hereditary elliptocytosis, 20 cases (4.6%) of hemoglobinopathies with 18 cases (4.2%) of beta-thalassemia, a case (0.2%) of alpha-thalassemia and a case (0.2%) of Hemoglobin Madrid, 7 cases (1.6%) of red cell enzyme deficiencies with 5 cases (1.2%) of glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, a case (0.2%) of pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency and a case (0.2%) of enolase deficiency, and 22 cases (5.1%) of unknown causes. The most common chief complaint in pediatric patients was pallor and that in adult patients was jaundice. In the red cell membrane defect group of patients, the level of hemoglobin was significantly higher than in adult patients. The mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, corrected reticulocyte count, total and indirect bilirubin level and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the hemoglobinopathy group of patients were significantly lower than the values in the red cell membrane defect group of patients. The mean concentration of G-6-PD was 0.8+/-0.7U/1012RBC in the G-6-PD deficient patients, PK was 1.7U/1010 RBC in the PK deficient patient, and the level of enolase was 0.04U/g of Hb in the enolase deficient patient. CONCLUSION: The most prevalent cause of HHA in Korea during 1997 to 2006 was hereditary spherocytosis, but HHA by other causes such as hemoglobinopathy and red cell enzyme deficiency gradually increased with the development of molecular diagnostic methods and increasing general interest. However, the etiologies of HHA need to be pursued further in 5.1% of the patients. An systematic standard diagnostic approach is needed in a nationwide prospective study for correct diagnoses and appropriate management of HHA.
Adult ; alpha-Thalassemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital* ; beta-Thalassemia ; Bilirubin ; Cell Membrane ; Diagnosis ; Elliptocytosis, Hereditary ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Female ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Jaundice ; Korea* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Male ; Oxidoreductases ; Pallor ; Pathology, Molecular ; Pediatrics ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prevalence ; Pyruvate Kinase ; Reticulocyte Count ; Retrospective Studies* ; Sex Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Incidence of chronic osteomyelitis in femur is lower than that of tibia due to abundantsurrounding soft tissue like muscles and subcutaneous fat. However, if the femur is infected, surgical approach would be very difficult because of surrounding soft tissue and bony defects would be getting larger due to the late detection. Chronic osteomyelitis of femur is an intractable disease with frequent recurrence and remained bone instability in spite of multiple classical operations . METHODS: From August 1998 to October 2005, we had 7 cases of fibular osteocutaneous free flap to reconstruct the femur. Those were followed-up for 23 months. All 7 cases were male. 4 cases were in midshaft and the others are distal part of femur. RESULTS: The 7 cases that had not been healed in spite of average 9.1 times previous operations were reconstructed successfully without the recurrence of chronic osteomyelitis. Continuous rehabilitation therapy and brace were very helpful for the ambulation. It took 5.6 months for complete union of bone, and 9.8 months for the ambulation. CONCLUSION: After wide resection, reconstruction of the femur using fibular osteocutaneous free flap guaranteed bone stability and prevented recurrence of osteomyelitis through rich blood supplying fibula and muscle. Double barrel graft of fibula would be needed in case of the sufficient strength and thickness of femur. We report the successful results of reconstruction of femur with fibular osteocutaneous free flap for chronic osteomyelitis of femur.
Braces ; Femur* ; Fibula ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Muscles ; Osteomyelitis* ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Tibia ; Transplants ; Walking

The purpose of this study is to assess abdominal sensation after free TRAM flap for breast reconstruction. 74 patients underwent breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap by authors and were followed up to check the sensation on abdomen following the surgery at the out patient clinic. They are compared with 20 female volunteer controls. Abdomens were divided into 13 zones, and assessed for superficial touch, superficial pain, temperature, two-point discrimination, and vibration. For all five sensory modalities, subjects were found to have decreased sensation in the umbilical and infraumbilical regions. This was statistically significant compared with controls. Division following pedicle dissection showed more reduction of sensation than non-dissection side. Both Inguinal areas below the donor site closure also showed markedly decreased sensation. Sensation on most area of abdomen recovered in postoperative 1 year, however, there were remained hypoesthesia in umbilical and infraumbilical area after post operative 1 year. This study clearly demonstrates that there is a significant and persistent reduction in abdominal sensibility following free TRAM flap surgery.
Abdomen* ; Breast* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Mammaplasty* ; Sensation ; Tissue Donors ; Vibration ; Volunteers

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the usefulness of selective nerve root block (SNRB) as a prognosis predictor of a lumbar disc herniation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The biochemical factors of radiculopathy, as opposed to the biomechanical factors, are more reversible and responsive to a corticosteroid injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent SNRB for the radiculopathy caused by a herniated lumbar disc and were followed for at least 1 year. The straight leg raising (SLR) angle, visual analog scale (VAS) and the patients' subjective satisfaction, using the Weber criteria, were initially investigated, and again at 1 week and 1 month after the procedure, and finally at the final follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups according to the final satisfaction. Group 1 (satisfactory prognosis, N=32) had Excellent/Good results at the final follow-up, whereas Group 2(unsatisfactory prognosis, N=18) had Fair/Poor final results, or underwent surgical treatment. The improvements in the SLR and VAS at 1 week and 1 month were compared between two groups. The subjective satisfaction each time was compared to the final outcome; the relative risks were also calculated. RESULTS: The improvements in the SLR and VAS for Group 1 were significantly better than those for Group 2 at both 1 week and 1 month (p<0.05). Those patients with Excellent/Good results at 1 week and 1 month manifested satisfactory final outcomes (p<0.05). The risks of the patients with Fair/Poor results at 1 week and 1 month manifesting unsatisfactory final outcomes were 6.8 and 15.2 times higher than those with Excellent/Good results. CONCLUSION: Selective nerve root block could be a useful method, not only to relieve acute leg pain, but also to predict the longterm prognosis of a herniated lumbar disc. Early surgical treatment could be considered for the patients not manifesting significant improvement until 1 month after SNRB.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Radiculopathy ; Visual Analog Scale