In order to determine the extent to which specific forms of glomerulonephritis (GN) contribute to the pool of crescentic GN, renal tissues from 17 crescentic GN patients were examined with special attention to glomerular and interstitial neutrophil infiltration. Renal tissues from five normal kidneys served as normal controls. Renal biopsy tissues from five patients with postinfectious GN in which crescent formation was not observed were also examined as disease controls. The patients were put into both three groups according to immunofluorescence findings and two groups according to the active or inactive phase of the crescents: group 1 with anti-glomerular basement membrane crescentic GN, one case; group 2 with immune complex crescentic GN, ten cases; and group 3 with pauci-immune crescentic GN, six cases. Four of the nine individuals tested were positive for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (44.4%). Glomerular and interstitial neutrophil infiltrations were prominent in both the active and inactive phase groups, compared to normal controls (p<.05). Glomerular neutrophil infiltration was significantly prominent in the active phase group, compared to the inactive phase group (p<.001). In both the active and inactive phase groups, interstitial neutrophil infiltration was prominent, compared to disease control groups (p<.05). These results support the concept of the participation of periglomerular leukocytes in the renal tissue damage of crescentic GN, although the role of neutrophils was not examined.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis/pathology* ; Glomerulonephritis/immunology ; Glomerulonephritis/classification ; Human ; Kidney Glomerulus/pathology* ; Kidney Glomerulus/immunology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Nephritis, Interstitial/pathology* ; Nephritis, Interstitial/immunology ; Neutrophils/physiology*

Benign hemangioma of the mediastinum is rare. This slowly growing tumor is described as well circumscribed, cystic, hemorrhagic tumor. Histologically it can be differentiated into capillary or cavernous form. We present a case of mediastinal hemangioma. A 20-year-old-man was presented with a slowly growing posterior mediastinal mass of 6 years duration, 8x6 cm in size. The mass was relatively well defined but focally invasive. Microscopically, it was differentiated into vessels of capillary, cavernous, and venous patterns. A solid cellular proliferation with inconspicuous capillary lumens was focally seen. The stroma between variable-sized vessels showed marked myxoid change associated with some smooth muscle bundles and adipose tissue. Ultrastructurally, areas of solid cellular proliferation showed formation of lumens. These lumens were lined by active endothelial cells showing plasmalemmal vesicles and Weibel-Palade bodies on the abluminal surface.
Adipose Tissue ; Capillaries ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; Hemangioma* ; Mediastinum ; Muscle, Smooth ; Weibel-Palade Bodies

Functional paraganglioma of the mediastinum is an uncommon tumor of the paraganglion system that causes symptoms and signs of episodic catecholamine release. It has not been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of a 17 years old man with a history of diaphoresis and paroxysmal hypertension refractory to therapy since 14 years old. Urinary execretion of catecholamine and its metabolites were elevated. Computed tomography(CT) scan revealed high density mass located on the posterior mediastinum in the area of the right fifth intercostal space. At thoracotomy, a 3X3X4cm sized lesion was resected and confirmed as a paraganglioma.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Korea ; Mediastinum* ; Paraganglioma* ; Pheochromocytoma ; Thoracotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate MR findings of postoperative diskitis following operation for intervertebral disk herniation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve cases with postoperative diskitis following operation for intervertebral disk herniation were included in this study. MR findings of postoperative diskitis were analysed to determine 1) the extent and pattern of alteration of the involved disks, 2) the pattern of destruction of endplates and vertebral bodies, and 3) the pattern of inflammatory extension into the surrounding soft tissue. RESULTS: 1) Disk alteration developed mainly at the middle and posterior portions of the disk, and was characterized by loss of intranuclear cleft at the involved portion of the disk and intranuclear abscess formation 2) Vertebral bodies involved ware symmetrically adjacent to involved disks and in three cases, bone abscesses within the endplates were detected. 3) The extension of inflammation yielded prevertebral or pre-/paravertebral masses (7 cases), epidural abscesses (5 cases), arachnoiditis (6 cases), and inflammatory masses (2 cases) beneath the posterior longitudinal ligament. CONCLUSION: Disk involvement was mainly at the middle and posterior portions of the disks, and there was accompanying intranuclear cleft loss. Symmetric involvement of the vertebral bodies adjacent to the involved disks was noted.
Abscess ; Arachnoid ; Arachnoiditis ; Discitis* ; Epidural Abscess ; Inflammation ; Intervertebral Disc ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Spondylitis

PURPOSE: Since November 2006, imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates have increased in Kyung Hee University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic basis and molecular epidemiology of outbreak isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine non-repetitive isolates of the 734 IRAB strains were investigated in order to determine their characteristics. The modified Hodge and the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-disk synergy test were performed for the screening of carbapenemase and metallo-beta-lactamase production. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed for the detection of genes encoding for OXA-23-like, OXA-24-like, OXA-58-like and OXA-51-like carbapenemase. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed for strain identification. RESULTS: All isolates showed 100% resistance to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, 97.9% resistance to cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, aztreonam, ceftazidime and piperacillin, 93.9% resistance to tobramycin and 57.1% resistance to amikacin. All of the 49 isolates (100%) showed positive results in the modified Hodge test and negative results in the EDTA-disk synergy test. They all (100%) possessed the encoding gene for an intrinsic OXA-51-like carbapenemase and an acquired OXA-23-like carbapenemase in the multiplex PCR assay. PFGE patterns revealed that all isolates were clonally related from A1 to A14. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that all of the 49 IRAB isolates acquired resistance to imipenem by producing OXA-23 carbapenemase and they might have originated from a common source.
Acinetobacter Infections/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Acinetobacter baumannii/*drug effects/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Cephalosporins/pharmacology ; Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics/physiology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Gentamicins/pharmacology ; Humans ; Imipenem/*pharmacology ; Korea/epidemiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; beta-Lactamases/genetics/*metabolism ; beta-Lactams/*pharmacology

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bronchus is a very rare tumor comprising only 0.1-0.2% of primary lung cancers and characterized by mixture of mucus-secreting cells, squamous cells, and cells of intermediate type. It occurs in any age from 3 months to 78 years, but nearly half of the cases are younger than 30 years. It usually occurs in the main or lobar bronchi as a soft, vascular polypoid mass that induces bronchial obstruction, recurrent pneumonia, chronic cough, and/or hemoptysis. Although mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the bronchi are known to have malignant potential, generally appear to behave in benign fashion in children and making conservative pulmonary resection sufficient and adequate as a therapy. We describe a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of proximal left lower lobe bronchus in 10-year-old girl, nearly completely obstructing the lower lobe bronchus and partially obstructing the upper lobe bronchus.
Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid* ; Child ; Cough* ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease worldwide, with many available treatment modalities, including oral and topical medications and laser therapy. Recently, a novel device (Isolaz, Pleasanton, CA, USA) that combines vacuum pressure and a broadband light source (400 nm to 1,200 nm) was developed for the treatment of acne. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of photopneumatic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris of the face. METHODS: Twenty adults with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris received 4 successive treatments on one side of the face with a combined photopneumatic device (intense pulsed light: fluence=5.8 J/cm2; negative pressure=iMP mode) at 2 week intervals. Acne lesions on the opposite side of the face were not treated. Lesion counts were performed at baseline, prior to each treatment session, and at 3 months after the final treatment session. RESULTS: Significant lesion improvements and reduced numbers of acne lesions were observed on the treated side of the faces. Most patients experienced global clinical improvement. No severe side effects occurred during the study, with only a few patients experiencing transient erythema, purpura and/or exacerbation of pre-existing acne. CONCLUSION: Photopneumatic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Erythema ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Light ; Purpura ; Skin Diseases ; Vacuum

BACKGROUND: Simple manual method using a Nageotte hemocytometer counting residual leukocytes [White blood cells(WBC)] in blood components is subjective, labor-intensive, time consuming and variable within and between laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness for flow cytometric method to determinate very low numbers of leukocytes in leukocyte-free blood components. METHODS: Epics XL-MCL (Beckman Coulter Co.) was used for determination of fluorescence-labelled cells. The DNA in leukocytes was stained using propidium iodide (PI) and leukocytes were automatically analysed by flow cytometer. RESULTS: Linearity determined over a range of 0.5-50 WBC/muL was a value of r=0.994. The detection limit of this method was 4.4 WBC/muL and accuracy was 86.6% with linearity of r=0.991 over the 5-50 WBC/muL. Reproducibility was CV of 9.1% for 25.8 WBC/muL and 14.7% for 7.1 WBC/muL, respectively. CONCLUSION: Flow cytometric techniques provide a reproducible and objective tool for counting residual WBC in leukocyte free blood components compared with the Nageotte hemocytometer.
DNA ; Leukocytes* ; Limit of Detection ; Propidium

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus from hands and nasal cavities of physicians and nurses and to determine the relationship between the isolates of S. aureus from patients with nosocomial infection and the isolates from physicians, nurses and the hospital environment. METHODS: Twenty-three S. aureus isolates which consisted of 8 strains from patients, 7 strains from doctors and nurses, 7 strains from hospital environments, and S. aureus ATCC 25923 were examined. Biochemical profile by the use of API Staph (API system, La Balme-Les Grottes, France), antibiogram by disk diffusion method, and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD) were used for the strain differentiation and molecular typing of S. aureus isolates. RESULTS: The isolation rate of S. aureus in hands and nasal cavities of doctors and nurses was 21% (25/ 120) and 28% (33/120), respectively. The isolation frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from doctors, nurses, and hospital environments was 57% (8/ 14). The isolates disclosed 13 different biochemical profiles and 14 different resistant patterns of antimicrobials. All isolates were divided into five molecular types (A~E) by RAPD with a similarity (S) value of 0.55; 10 strains (45%) belonged to type A, 7 (32%) to type C, 3 (14%) to type B, one each to type D and E, respectively. The S value between strain 11 from hospital environments and strain 12 from a patient was 1.00, which means that they are the same on the genetic level. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal the existence of a close relationship between clinical isolates and isolates from hospital environment, including those from physicians and nurses. Thus, the implementation of an infection control programs to reduce the spread of MRSA within hospitals is important for the prevention of nosocomial infections.
Cross Infection ; Diffusion ; DNA ; Hand ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Epidemiology* ; Molecular Typing ; Nasal Cavity ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms*