Background: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a major and highly infectious pathogen in cats worldwide. However, there have been limited studies about the status of FCV infections in Korea. Objectives: To investigate the current status of FCV infections in stray cats in Korea. Methods: A novel reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed based on the conserved nucleotide sequences of reported FCV strains. Field swab samples were collected from 122 cats (2 hospital admitted cats and 120 stray cats) in 2016 and 2017. All the samples were tested by virus isolation and 2 different RT-PCRs, including the novel RT-PCR, for the detection of FCV. Results: The novel RT-PCR assay showed no cross-reactivity to the nucleic acids of the other feline pathogens tested, and the limit of detection was calculated as 10 0 TCID 50 /mL based on an in vitro assessment. The novel RT-PCR assay detected 5 positive samples from the 122 field samples, which showed perfect agreement with the results of the virus isolation method.In contrast, another RT-PCR assay used in a previous study in Korea detected no positive samples. The prevalence of FCV infection in stray cats was 2.5% (3/120) based on the results of virus isolation and the novel RT-PCR assays. Conclusions The current study is the first report of the detection and prevalence of FCV in stray cats in Korea. The novel RT-PCR assay developed in this study showed high sensitivity and specificity, which indicates a useful diagnostic assay to identify FCV infection in cats.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly infectious pathogen in cats and widely distributed worldwide with high genetic variation. Full-length open reading frame 2 of 5 from recently isolated Korean FCV isolates were sequenced and compared with those of global isolates. The results of phylogenetic analysis supported dividing global FCV isolates into two genogroups (type I and II) and demonstrated the presence of genogroup II in Korea, indicating their geographic spread in East Asia. High sequence variations in region E of the FCV isolates emphasizes that a novel vaccine needs to be developed to induce protective immunity against various FCV strains.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly infectious pathogen in cats and widely distributed worldwide with high genetic variation. Full-length open reading frame 2 of 5 from recently isolated Korean FCV isolates were sequenced and compared with those of global isolates. The results of phylogenetic analysis supported dividing global FCV isolates into two genogroups (type I and II) and demonstrated the presence of genogroup II in Korea, indicating their geographic spread in East Asia. High sequence variations in region E of the FCV isolates emphasizes that a novel vaccine needs to be developed to induce protective immunity against various FCV strains.

We report a case of C1-2 instability with a bilateral high-riding transverse foramen that was treated with rod-screw fixation using a technique of translaminar rigid screw fixation of the axis. It is believed that a C1-2 fixation with bilateral C-2 translaminar screws has an important advantage over previously reported techniques of C1-2 fixation by eliminating the risk of injury to the vertebral artery during C2 screw placement.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Vertebral Artery

No abstract available.
Erythromycin* ; Gastric Emptying* ; Gastroparesis*

With the arm in hyperabduction, we have carried out 525 procedures of supraclavicularbrachial plexus block from Aug. 1976 to June 1980, whereas block with the arm in adduction has been customarily performed by other authors. The anesthetic procedure is as follows: 1) The patient lies in the dorsal recumbent position without a pillow under his head or shoulder. His arm is hyperabducted more than a 90 degree angle from his side, and his head is turned to the side opposite from that to be blocked. 2) An "X" is marked at a point 1 cm above the mid clavicle, immediately lateral to the edge of the anterior scalene muscle, and on the palpable portion of the subclavian artery. The area is aseptically prepared and draped. 3) A 22 gauge 3. 5cm needle attached to a syringe filled with 2% lidocaine (7~8mg/kg of body weight) and epineprine(1: 200,000) is inserted caudally toward the second portion of the artery where it crosses the first rib and parallel with the lateral border of the muscle until a paresthesia is obtained. 4) Paresthesia is usually elicited while inserting the needle tip about 1~2 cm in depth. If so, the local anesthetic solution is injected after careful aspiration. 5) If no paresthesia is elicited, the needle is withdrawn and redirected in an attempt to elicit paresthesia. 6) If, after several attempts, no paresthesia is obtained, the local anesthetic solution is injected into the perivascular sheath after confirming that the artery is not punctured. 7) Immediately after starting surgery, Valium is injected for sedation by the intravenous route in almost all cases. The age distribution of the cases was from 11 to 80 years. Sex distribution was 476 males and 49 females(Table 1). Operative procedures consisted of 103 open reductions, 114 skin grafts combined with spinal anesthesia in 14, 87 debridements, 75 repairs, i.e. tendon(41), nerve(32), and artery(2), 58 corrections of abnormalities, 27 amputations above the elbow(5), below the elbow(3) and fingers(17), 20 primary closures, 18 incisions and curettages, 2 replantations of cut fingers respectively(Table 2). Paresthesia was obtained in all cases. Onset of analgesia occurred within 5 minutes, starting in the deltoid region in almost all cases. Complete anesthesia of the entire arm appeared within 10 minutes but was delayed 15 to 20 minutes in 5 cases and failed in one case. Thus, our success rate was nearly 100%. The duration of anesthesia after a single injection ranged from 3(1/2), to 4(1/2) hours in 94% of the cases. The operative time ranged from 0.5 to 4 hours in 92.4% of the cases(Table 3). Repeat blocks were carried out in 33 cases when operative times which were more than 4 hours in 22 cases and the others were completed within 4 hours(Table 4). Two patients of the 33 cases, who received microvasular surgery were injected twice with 2% lidocaine 20ml, for a total of 13(1/2) hours. The 157 patients who received surgery on the forearms or hands had pneumatic tourniguets (250 torrs) applied without tourniquet pain. There was no pneumothorax, hematoma or phrenic nerve paralysis in any of the unilateraI and 27 bilateral blocks, but there was hoarseness in two, Horner's syndrome in 11 and shivering in 7 cases. No general seizures or other side effects were observed. By 20ml of 60% urografin study, we confirm ed the position of the needle tip to be in a safer position when the arm is in hyperabduction than when it is in adduction. And also that the humoral head caused some obstraction of the distal flow of the dye, indicating that less local anesthetic solution would be needed for satisfactory anesthesia. (Fig. 3,4)
Age Distribution ; Amputation ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Arm ; Arteries ; Brachial Plexus Block* ; Brachial Plexus* ; Clavicle ; Curettage ; Debridement ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Diazepam ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Hand ; Head ; Hematoma ; Hoarseness ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Needles ; Operative Time ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Phrenic Nerve ; Pneumothorax ; Replantation ; Ribs ; Seizures ; Sex Distribution ; Shivering ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Subclavian Artery ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Syringes ; Tourniquets ; Transplants

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study that analyzed and compared the results between a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and a posterolateral fusion (PLIF+PLF), and PLF alone, in the treatment of spondyolytic spondylolisthesis in adults. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of two surgical treatment methods for spondylolytic spondylolisthesis-posterolateral fusion alone, and circumferential fusion, using posterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been many reports regarding the surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis. Posterior lumbar interbody fusions have certain distinct mechanical advantages over posterolateral ones. However, the clinical and radiological results do not usually correlate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2001, 38 patients, with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, were operated on by a single surgeon. Nineteen patients underwent a posterolateral fusion alone (group I), with the same number undergoing an additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (group II). These two groups were evaluated for their clinical outcomes, radiological measurements and fusion rates. RESULTS: The losses in the slip reduction were 7.1 and 1.3% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). The losses in the Meschan angle were 3.3 and 0.2 in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). The losses in the disc height restoration were 10.4 and 3.8% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). A nonunion was observed in 3 of the PLF cases (15.8%) and 1 of the PLF+PLIF (5.3%). However, the satisfactory clinical results were 84.2 and 73.7% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the addition of a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, to an instrumented posterolateral fusion, following decompression, is more predictable in maintaining a correction and achieving union, a posterolateral fusion may have a better clinical outcome in patients with low grade spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Therefore, careful patient selection is necessary for each operation.
Adult* ; Decompression ; Humans ; Patient Selection ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis*

PURPOSE: To report a case of rapidly progressing foveal atrophy with tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old female patient had decreased vision of hand motions (os) for 3 days. Fundus examination showed optic disc swelling and yellowish chorioretinal lesions in the posterior pole (os). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed intraretinal edema and subretinal fluid in the left macula. Routine laboratory tests, serologic tests, and magnetic resonance imaging results were normal except for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (28 mm/hr). Fluorescein angiography showed the chorioretinal lesions appeared to be early hypofluorescence followed by late hyperfluorescence. Indocyanine green angiography showed hypofluorescence during early and late phases and the result of interferon-gamma release assay was positive. Under diagnosis of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis, anti-tuberculous therapy combined with systemic corticosteroid was started. Despite decreased optic disc swelling, OCT showed a rapid progression of foveal atrophy within 2 weeks. Twelve weeks later, visual acuity was finger count at 10 cm. Six months later, best-corrected visual acuity and foveal atrophy were no interval change. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis with foveal involvement can show rapidly progressive foveal atrophy and poor visual prognosis.
Angiography ; Atrophy ; Blood Sedimentation ; Choroid ; Choroiditis ; Edema ; Female ; Fingers ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hand ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Interferon-gamma Release Tests ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prognosis ; Serologic Tests ; Subretinal Fluid ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity

The lumbar foramen is affected by different degenerative diseases, including extraforaminal disc herniation, foraminal stenosis (FS), and degenerative or spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. The purpose of this study was to describe percutaneous stenoscopic lumbar decompression with a paramedian approach (para-PSLD) for foraminal/extraforaminal lesions. All operative procedures were performed using a complete uniportal endoscopic instrument system. The para-PSLD can be easily applied to patients with FS and narrow disc space or facet joint hypertrophy. The anatomical view of a para-PSLD is similar to that of a conventional open surgery and allows for good visualization of the foraminal/extraforaminal areas. We suggest that para-PSLD is an alternative and minimally invasive procedure to treat degenerative lumbar foraminal/extraforaminal stenoses.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompression ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ion Transport ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) causes respiratory and intestinal disease in mammals. Although MRV isolates have been reported to circulate in several animals, there are no reports on Korean MRV isolates from wildlife. We investigated the biological and molecular characteristics of Korean MRV isolates based on the nucleotide sequence of the segment 1 gene. In total, 144 swabs from wild animals were prepared for virus isolation. Based on virus isolation with specific cytopathic effects, indirect fluorescence assays, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, one isolate was confirmed to be MRV. The isolate exhibited a hemagglutination activity level of 16 units with pig erythrocytes and had a maximum viral titer of 105.7 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50)/mL in Vero cells at 5 days after inoculation. The nucleotide and amino-acid sequences of the partial segment S1 of the MReo2045 isolate were determined and compared with those of other MRV strains. The MReo2045 isolate had nucleotide sequences similar to MRV-3 and was most similar (96.1%) to the T3/Bat/Germany/342/08 strain, which was isolated in Germany in 2008. The MReo2045 isolate will be useful as an antigen for sero-epidemiological studies and developing diagnostic tools.