PURPOSE: Perinatal mortality rates have been used as a summary statistic for evaluating child health and medical status. Neonatal mortality rates have decreased over the past 30 years in Korea. To understand the current status of neonatal surgical gastrointestinal diseases in Daegu?Busan area, we have studied about neonatal gastrointestinal diseases with their clinical features, postoperative outcome, and mortality rates. METHODS: A clinical analysis on 202 neonates who underwent neonatal surgery from January 1996 to July 2003 at Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Youngnam University, and Daegu Catholic University was carried out. RESULTS: The main diseases of surgical conditions were anorectal malformation (23.8%), atresia/ stenosis of midgut (13.4%) and pyloric stenosis (13.4%). The male to female ratio was 2.8:1. Thirty-five cases (17.0%) had one or more associated anomalies including congenital heart disease, cryptoorchidism, hydronephrosis, and chromosomal anomaly. Twenty cases (10.0%) were diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound. Patients with esophageal atresia had the longest hospitalization for 54.6 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 18 cases (8.9%). The main postoperative complications were wound infection (3.5%) and anastomotic leakage (2.5%). Overall mortality was 5.9%. Diaphragmatic hernia showed the highest mortality rate (37.5%), and esophageal atresia (28.6%) and omphalocele (20.0%) were followed. CONCLUSION: The current status of neonatal surgical gastrointestinal diseases in Daegu?Busan area has improved because the disease categories are various, postoperative complications and mortality rates are decreased.
Anastomotic Leak ; Busan ; Child ; Child Health ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Daegu ; Esophageal Atresia ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Perinatal Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Ultrasonography ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the antibacterial activity of currently purchasable denture cleansers against Candida albicans. Materials and methods: This study used tablet-type denture cleansers, PolidentⓇ , CoolingdentⓇ and FittydentⓇ , along with liquid denture cleansers, HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ . The antibacterial activities of denture cleansers were evaluated based on the number of C. albicans and concentrations of the denture cleansers. Results: In the 0.5 × 106 cfu/㎖ culture medium, the C. albicans’ death rate of PolidentⓇ was significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ , and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). In the 0.5 × 107 cfu/, the C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly decreased at 0.02 g and 0.01 g. The C. albicans’ death rate of FittydentⓇ was significantly decreased at 0.005 g (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rate of HexamedineⓇ was significantly decreased at 1/16 dilution. The C. albicans’ death rate of ListerineⓇ was decreased at 1/8 dilution, and the antibacterial activity of Apple vinegarⓇ was decreased at 1/4 dilution (P<.05). Conclusion As the number of C. albicans increased, the antibacterial activities of the denture cleansers decrease. In the tablet-type denture cleanser, all denture cleansers showed 100% C. albicans’ death rate when used at a dose of 1 tablet. One denture cleanser showed the same antibacterial effect with only 1/3 of a tablet. In the liquid type denture cleanser, the level of dilution required was different for each denture cleanser.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the antibacterial activity of currently purchasable denture cleansers against Candida albicans. Materials and methods: This study used tablet-type denture cleansers, PolidentⓇ , CoolingdentⓇ and FittydentⓇ , along with liquid denture cleansers, HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ . The antibacterial activities of denture cleansers were evaluated based on the number of C. albicans and concentrations of the denture cleansers. Results: In the 0.5 × 106 cfu/㎖ culture medium, the C. albicans’ death rate of PolidentⓇ was significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ , and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). In the 0.5 × 107 cfu/, the C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly decreased at 0.02 g and 0.01 g. The C. albicans’ death rate of FittydentⓇ was significantly decreased at 0.005 g (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rate of HexamedineⓇ was significantly decreased at 1/16 dilution. The C. albicans’ death rate of ListerineⓇ was decreased at 1/8 dilution, and the antibacterial activity of Apple vinegarⓇ was decreased at 1/4 dilution (P<.05). Conclusion As the number of C. albicans increased, the antibacterial activities of the denture cleansers decrease. In the tablet-type denture cleanser, all denture cleansers showed 100% C. albicans’ death rate when used at a dose of 1 tablet. One denture cleanser showed the same antibacterial effect with only 1/3 of a tablet. In the liquid type denture cleanser, the level of dilution required was different for each denture cleanser.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effects of smoking on alcohol cravings in alcoholdependent individuals. METHODS: Study participants were 123 male smokers, 18 to 65 years of age, diagnosed with alcohol dependence. The study questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, alcohol drinking habits, smoking habits, the Korean Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), the 12-item Tobacco Craving Questionnaire (12-item TCQ), and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). We divided the subjects into high-OCDS score and low-OCDS score groups. RESULTS: The high-OCDS group had a higher alcohol drinking frequency and greater average amount of alcohol consumed than did the low-OCDS group. Also, the high-OCDS group smoked a higher average number of cigarettes per day and had higher 12-item TCQ scores and FTND scores. Logistic regression analysis showed scores of the 12-item TCQ and the FTND were the most significant variables for predicting alcohol cravings. CONCLUSION: This study shows that alcohol cravings are significantly related to cigarette cravings and to severity of nicotine dependence.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Drinking ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nicotine ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco Use Disorder

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical features of respiratory viruses in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. METHODS: From May 2010 to April 2011, we tested nasopharyngeal aspiration specimens in 1,520 hospitalized children with ALRTI with multiplex real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify 7 kinds of common pathogens (adenovirus [ADV], influenza virus type A [influ A], influenza virus type B [influ B], human metapneumovirus [hMPV], parainfluenza virus [PIV], human rhinovirus [hRV], respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]). We analyzed positive rates and clinical features by retrospective review of the chart. RESULTS: Virus agents were isolated from 72.5% of cases. The identified pathogens were RSV, 35.5%; hRV, 25.6%; PIV, 13.8%; ADV, 12.8%; hMPV, 7.1%; influ A, 5.0%; and influ B, 0.3%. The major period of viral ALRTI was the first year of life. Clinical diagnoses of viral ALRTI were pneumonia, 52.3%; bronchiolitis, 21.2%; tracheobronchitis, 1.0%; croup, 10.8%; and asthma, 8.8%. The most frequent case of pneumonia and bronchiolitis was RSV. Croup was frequently caused by PIV. The number of hMPV infections peaked between April and June and were primarily caused due to pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Although this study was confined to one year, this study described the features of ALRTI associated with 7 respiratory viruses in children in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Additional investigations are required to define the role of respiratory viruses in children with ALRTI in this area.
Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Croup ; Humans ; Korea ; Metapneumovirus ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinovirus ; Viruses

Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GMS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder comprising of early-onset nephrotic syndrome and central nervous system involvement including microcephaly, seizure and developmental delay. Although hiatal hernia is no longer considered essential findings for diagnosis, clinical triad of GMS included nephrotic syndrome, neurological manifestations, and hiatal hernia in the original description. We experienced a case of newborn with GMS presenting these clinical triad in neonatal period. A male infant weighing 2,250 g was born at gestational week 39+3 by cesarean section. The patient revealed mild dysmorphic facial features and microcephaly. On day 7, Nissen fundoplication was done because of hiatal hernia with gastric volvulus. At the age of 2 weeks he developed nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria and hypoalubuminemia. This is the first case of GMS that three classic findings were present in neonatal period in Korea.
Central Nervous System ; Cesarean Section ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fundoplication ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Male ; Microcephaly ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pregnancy ; Proteinuria ; Seizures ; Stomach Volvulus

BACKGROUND: In mammals, the master circadian pacemaker is localized in an area of the ventral hypothalamus known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Previous studies have shown that pacemaker neurons in the SCN are highly coupled to one another, and this coupling is crucial for intrinsic self-sustainability of the SCN central clock, which is distinguished from peripheral oscillators. One plausible mechanism underlying the intercellular communication may involve direct electrical connections mediated by gap junctions. METHODS: We examined the effect of mefloquine, a neuronal gap junction blocker, on circadian Period 2 (Per2) gene oscillation in SCN slice cultures prepared from Per2::luciferase (PER2::LUC) knock-in mice using a real-time bioluminescence measurement system. RESULTS: Administration of mefloquine causes instability in the pulse period and a slight reduction of amplitude in cyclic PER2::LUC expression. Blockade of gap junctions uncouples PER2::LUC-expressing cells, in terms of phase transition, which weakens synchrony among individual cellular rhythms. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that neuronal gap junctions play an important role in synchronizing the central pacemaker neurons and contribute to the distinct self-sustainability of the SCN master clock.
Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Electrical Synapses ; Gap Junctions* ; Hypothalamus ; Luminescent Measurements ; Mammals ; Mefloquine* ; Mice* ; Neurons ; Phase Transition ; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus*

PURPOSE: The aim of this animal study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a portable, ultrasonography-guided, high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-HIFU) system to treat the pancreas. METHODS: Eight swine were included. Using a portable HIFU device (ALPIUS 900, Alpinion Medical Systems), ablations were performed on the pancreas in vivo. Different acoustic intensities were applied (1.7 kW/cm2 or 1.5 kW/cm2, n=2 [group A for a pilot study]; 1.5 kW/ cm2, n=3 [group B]; and 1.2 kW/cm2, n=3 [group C]). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed immediately (group A) or 7 days (groups B and C) after HIFU treatment. In groups B and C, serum amylase and lipase levels were measured on days 0 and 7, and performance status was observed every day. Necropsy was performed on days 0 (group A) or 7 (groups B and C) to assess the presence of unintended injuries and to obtain pancreatic and peripancreatic tissue for histological analysis. RESULTS: Ablation was noted in the pancreas in all swine on MRI, and all pathologic specimens showed coagulation necrosis in the treated area. The mean ablation areas on MRI were 85.3±38.1 mm2, 90.7±21.2 mm2, and 54.4±30.6 mm2 in groups A, B, and C, respectively (P>0.05). No animals showed evidence of complications, except for one case of a pseudocyst in group B. CONCLUSION: This study showed that pancreas ablation using a portable USg-HIFU system may be safe and feasible, and that coagulation necrosis of the pancreas was successfully achieved with a range of acoustic intensities.
Acoustics ; Amylases ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Lipase ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis ; Pancreas* ; Swine* ; Ultrasonography*

Bacterial aortitis is a rare, but fatal, infectious disease underlying an atherosclerotic aorta or normal aortic wall in an immunocompromised host. The commonly identified organisms responsible for the condition are Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and on rare occasions, E.coli. We report a case of a 57-year-old man with bacterial aortitis and a splenic abscess caused by E.coli, which was successfully treated by periaortic debridement, prosthetic graft replacement, splenectomy and antibiotic therapy.
Abscess* ; Aorta ; Aortitis* ; Communicable Diseases ; Debridement ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Middle Aged ; Salmonella ; Splenectomy ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Transplants

Nocardia farcinia, an aerobic, gram-positive bacilli actinomycetes of the genus Nocardia, is an uncommon pathogen found in humans. The most common Nocardia infection sites are the lung, central nervous system, and skin. Even though hematogenous dissemination can occur, isolation of the organism from blood cultures is very rare. We report a case of Nocardia infection that was isolated on blood cultures. A 59-year-old male with a medical history that includes a liver transplantation 6-years prior due to hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to chronic hepatitis B, developed pneumonia and was transferred to Severance Hospital. At the time of admission, the patient's initial exam showed hypothermia, tachypnea, and hypotension. His chest radiograph showed severe pneumonia and a large abscess on left upper lobe. Under the presumptive diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia or other opportunistic infection, we started broad spectrum antibiotics. However, he developed Nocardia sepsis, rapidly deteriorated, and subsequently died.
Abscess ; Actinobacteria ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Central Nervous System ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Hypothermia ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Lung ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nocardia ; Nocardia Infections ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; Sepsis ; Shock ; Shock, Septic ; Skin ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Transplants