Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. It causes acute hepatitis with a high propensity for chronic infection. Chronic HCV infection can progress to severe liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the last decade, our basic understanding of HCV virology and life cycle has advanced greatly with the development of HCV cell culture and replication systems. Our ability to treat HCV infection has also been improved with the combined use of interferon, ribavirin and small molecule inhibitors of the virally encoded NS3/4A protease, although better therapeutic options are needed with greater antiviral efficacy and less toxicity. In this article, we review various aspects of HCV life cycle including viral attachment, entry, fusion, viral RNA translation, posttranslational processing, HCV replication, viral assembly and release. Each of these steps provides potential targets for novel antiviral therapeutics to cure HCV infection and prevent the adverse consequences of progressive liver disease.
Antigens, CD81/metabolism ; Genome, Viral ; Hepacivirus/genetics/*physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral/metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B/metabolism ; Viral Envelope Proteins/chemistry/metabolism ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins/chemistry/metabolism ; Virus Assembly ; Virus Internalization ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVE: To verify the interrater and intrarater reliability of Korean Wolf Motor Function Test (K-WMFT) for assessing upper extremity function after stroke. METHOD: Twenty patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke participated in the study. The Wolf Motor Function Test consists of 15 functional tasks. Performances were timed and rated by functional ability scale. The K-WMFT were administered to the subjects by an occupational therapist. All test sessions were videotaped and scored by 2 physiatrists and another occupational therapist to examine interrater reliability. They were reevaluated at a later time by the same occupational therapist to examine intrarater reliability. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient of the performance time of K-WMFT was 0.94 and that of the functional ability scale of K-WMFT was 0.99. Intrarater correlation coefficient of the performance time of K-WMFT was 1.00 and that of the functional ability scale of K-WMFT was 0.97. CONCLUSION: The interrater and intrarater reliability of K- WMFT were verified. K-WMFT can be used as a reliable tool to measure upper extremity function of the stroke patients in Korea.
Arm ; Humans ; Korea ; Paresis ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity ; Wolves*

OBJECTIVES: We report a case of n-hexane-induced occupational peripheral polyneuropathy. The patient had been cleaning mobile phone cases using n-hexane for 3 years without proper protection in the workplace. Method : Physical examinations, detailed history taking, laboratory studies and electrophysiological study were done. The n-hexane concentration in the ambient air of the workplace was analysed. RESULTS: The findings of the electrophysiological study revealed that the worker's neurologic symptoms were due to peripheral polyneuropathy. The average n-hexane concentration in the ambient air sampled at the workplace for 59 minutes was 1411.24ppm, from which the 8 hour time-weighted-average(TWA) was estimated as 882ppm. Because other alternative causes for peripheral polyneuropathy were ruled out by laboratory findings and detailed history taking, this TWA level strongly suggested that the disease was caused by n-hexane exposure. Conclusion : Although the neuro-toxicity of n-hexane is relatively well known, many problems have been identified in the management of this toxic material in terms of preventing toxic diseases in the workplace. We expect that this case will help in the planning of health management strategies for using n-hexane in the workplace.
Cellular Phone* ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Physical Examination ; Polyneuropathies*

We aimed to determine the characteristic adverse events (AEs) of iodinated contrast media (IOCM) and to compare the safety profiles of different IOCM. This study used the database of AEs reports submitted by healthcare professionals from 15 Regional Pharmacovigilance Centers between June 24, 2009 and December 31, 2010 in Korea. All reports of IOCM, including iopromide, iohexol, iopamidol, iomeprol, ioversol, iobitridol and iodixanol, were analyzed. Safety profiles were compared between different IOCM at the system organ level using the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Among a total of 48,261 reports, 6,524 (13.5%) reports were related to the use of IOCM. Iopromide (45.5%), iohexol (16.9%), iopamidol (14.3%) and iomeprol (10.3%) were identified as frequently reported media. 'Platelet, bleeding & clotting disorders' (PRR, 29.6; 95%CI, 1.9-472.6) and 'urinary system disorders' (PRR, 22.3; 95% CI, 17.1-29.1) were more frequently reported for iodixanol than the other IOCM. In conclusion, the frequency of AEs by organ class was significantly different between individual media. These differences among different IOCM should be considered when selecting a medium among various IOCM and when monitoring patients during and after its use to ensure optimum usage and patient safety.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Platelet Disorders/chemically induced ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Contrast Media/*adverse effects/diagnostic use ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Iodine Radioisotopes/chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms/radionuclide imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals/*adverse effects/diagnostic use ; Urologic Diseases/chemically induced ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: We examined the ability of preschool aged children to meet the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Resiratory Society (ERS) goals for spirometry quality and tried to find out the major factor for improving the rate of success of spiromety test in this age group. METHODS: Spirometry was performed in 2-6 aged 155 children with chronic cough or suspicious asthma with the recording of maneuver quality measures of forced expiratory time, end-of-test volume, back-extrapolated volume (Vbe), and forced vital capacity (FVC), as well as flow-volume curve. The subjects were tested several times and the two best results in each subject were selected. All criteria for quality control were suggested by ATS/ERS guidelines. The criteria for starting of the test was Vbe <80 mL and Vbe/FVC <12.5%. The criteria for repeatability of the test was that second highest FVC and FEV1 are within 100 mL or 10% of the highest value, whichever is greater. For the criteria for termination of the test for preschool aged children, we evaluated the flow-volume curve RESULTS: As getting older, the success rate of spirometry increased and rapidly increased after 3 years old. Total success rate of the test was 59.4% (2 years old - 14.3%, 3 years old - 53.7%, 4 years old - 65.1%, 5 years old - 69.7%, 6 years old - 70.8%). The percentage of failure to meet the criteria for starting the test was 6.5%, repeatability of the test was 12.3% and end of the test was 31%. There was a significant difference only in age between success group and failure group. Evaluating the quality control criteria of previous studies, the success rate increased with age. CONCLUSION: About 60% of preschool aged children met ATS/ERS goals for spirometry test performance and the success rate was highly correlated with age. It is clearly needed that developing more feasible and suitable criteria for quality control of spirometry test in preschool aged children.
Aged ; Asthma ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Humans ; Quality Control ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

PURPOSE: We examined the ability of preschool aged children to meet the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Resiratory Society (ERS) goals for spirometry quality and tried to find out the major factor for improving the rate of success of spiromety test in this age group. METHODS: Spirometry was performed in 2-6 aged 155 children with chronic cough or suspicious asthma with the recording of maneuver quality measures of forced expiratory time, end-of-test volume, back-extrapolated volume (Vbe), and forced vital capacity (FVC), as well as flow-volume curve. The subjects were tested several times and the two best results in each subject were selected. All criteria for quality control were suggested by ATS/ERS guidelines. The criteria for starting of the test was Vbe <80 mL and Vbe/FVC <12.5%. The criteria for repeatability of the test was that second highest FVC and FEV1 are within 100 mL or 10% of the highest value, whichever is greater. For the criteria for termination of the test for preschool aged children, we evaluated the flow-volume curve RESULTS: As getting older, the success rate of spirometry increased and rapidly increased after 3 years old. Total success rate of the test was 59.4% (2 years old - 14.3%, 3 years old - 53.7%, 4 years old - 65.1%, 5 years old - 69.7%, 6 years old - 70.8%). The percentage of failure to meet the criteria for starting the test was 6.5%, repeatability of the test was 12.3% and end of the test was 31%. There was a significant difference only in age between success group and failure group. Evaluating the quality control criteria of previous studies, the success rate increased with age. CONCLUSION: About 60% of preschool aged children met ATS/ERS goals for spirometry test performance and the success rate was highly correlated with age. It is clearly needed that developing more feasible and suitable criteria for quality control of spirometry test in preschool aged children.
Aged ; Asthma ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; Humans ; Quality Control ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

Cutaneous metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is rare. Once metastatic cutaneous involvement of a renal cell carcinoma has occurred, the disease is already widespread and therefore has a very poor prognosis. Herein we report a case of a 59-year-old man who presented with a renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the scalp, lung, brain and contralateral kidney.
Brain ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Scalp

Although a basal cell carcinoma usually results from chronic irradiation of solar ultraviolet, some reports have mentioned that non-solar ultraviolet and trauma also could be etiologic factors of basal cell carcinoma. Herein, we report a case of a 64-year-old man who had worked as a welder for more than thirty years. Four years ago, he was burnt on his right upper eyelid during welding. After that, the lesion had been darkened and indurated, and finally was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. The significance of non-solar ultraviolet irradiation and thermal burn during welding in the pathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma is discussed.
Burns ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Welding

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common primary salivary gland malignancy. About 60% of mucoepidermoid carcinomas occur in the major salivary glands and 35% in the minor glands, in which the palate and buccal mucosa are the most frequent sites. Histologically, tumor cells, composed of intermediate, mucous, epidermoid, and clear cells in widely varying proportions, form numerous sheets, islands, duct-like structures and cysts. Many foci of mucin production are prominent. Herein, we report a case of a 37-year-old man who presented a nodule on left buccal mucosa. After the diagnosis, he was referred to a dental surgeon, by whom the tumor was radically excised. But, tumor cells were observed at one of the resection margins. As a result, he received radiation therapies (6 weeks, 60 Gy). He is now undergoing regular follow ups without any signs of recurrence.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Islands ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mucins ; Palate ; Recurrence ; Salivary Glands ; Salivary Glands, Minor

Proliferative fasciitis is a rare, rapidly growing, pseudosarcomatous nodule of subcutaneous tissue. It commonly occurs on the extremities. Lesions on the head and neck are exceedingly rare. Histopathologically, it is characterized by several large basophilic ganglion-like cells deposited in a myxoid stroma with spindled cells. Herein, we report a case of a 54-year-old man who noticed a nodule on his right cheek about six months before examination. At first, its size abruptly increased, and then remained without any change in size. Microscopically, many basophilic ganglion-like cells and spindled cells were deposited in a myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemically, ganglion-like cells and spindled cells were strongly positive for vimentin and weakly positive for smooth muscle actin and CD68. Although it was not radically excised, the lesion has not been found for 3 months.
Actins ; Basophils ; Cheek ; Extremities ; Fasciitis ; Head ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neck ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Vimentin