Background: Spontaneous pneumopericardium is a very rare condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have been reported to be associated with an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, spontaneous pneumopericardium has not yet been reported in association with IPF. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a patient with acute exacerbation of IPF with a review of the relevant literature.
Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pneumothorax

OBJECTIVE: To induce a mouse model of scleroderma with repeated bleomycin injections for research into human scleroderma at our research laboratory. METHODS: The protocol of Yamamoto et al. was replicated to establish the bleomycin-induced mouse model of scleroderma. RESULTS: A mouse model of scleroderma was induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of bleomycin. The dermal thickness increased with homogeneous and thickened collagen bundles. Semiquantitative measurements of dermal fibrosis were prominent in bleomycin-treated mice. CONCLUSION: A mouse model of scleroderma was induced with repeated injections of bleomycin at our laboratory.
Animals ; Bleomycin ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Mice ; Models, Animal

The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant effect of fucoxanthin. After rats were fed a normal fat diet (NF), high fat diet (HF), and high fat with 0.2% fucoxanthin diet (HF + Fxn) for 4 weeks, the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity like lipid peroxidation, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and gluthathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) were determined. mRNA expression of transcription factor, nuclear erythroid factor like 2 (Nrf2), and its target genes such as NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were also determined. Mean weight gain in the HF + Fxn group was lower, without statistical significance, and the total food intake in the HF + Fxn group was lower than that in the HF group (P < 0.05). The activity of GSH-Px (P < 0.05) in plasma was significantly higher in the HF + Fxn group than those in the HF group (P < 0.05). In the liver, the activities of catalase (P < 0.05) and GSH-Px (P < 0.05) in the HF + Fxn group were significantly higher than those in the HF group. Plasma TAC level was significantly higher in the HF + Fxn group than that in the HF group (P < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation in plasma tended to be lower without statistical significance. Fucoxanthin supplements were shown to have higher mRNA expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 than those in the high fat diet only group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of fucoxanthin improved the antioxidant capacity, depleted by high fat diet, by activating the Nrf2 pathway and its downstream target gene NQO1. Therefore, supplementation of fucoxanthin, especially for those who consume high fat in their diet, may benefit from reduced risk of oxidative stress.
Animals ; Antioxidants* ; Benzoquinones ; Catalase ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Eating ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxidase ; Plasma ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Transcription Factors ; Weight Gain ; Xanthophylls

The deletion 22q13 syndrome (Phelan-McDermid syndrome) is a rare microdeletion syndrome characterized by prominent neurobehavioral deficits including neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay, language delay, autism, and minor dysmorphic features. Due to nonspecific facial features and difficulties in detection in routine chromosome analysis, this chromosome deletion syndrome has gone under-diagnosed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is required to confirm the presence of this deletion. Here we report the first case of 22q13 deletion syndrome in Korea. An 18-month-old girl was admitted to a pediatric clinic due to severe developmental delay and hypotonia from the neonatal period. She was diagnosed as 22q13 deletion syndrome through a chromosomal analysis and FISH using arylsulfatase A probe.
Autistic Disorder ; Cerebroside-Sulfatase ; Chromosome Deletion ; Developmental Disabilities ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Infant ; Korea ; Language Development Disorders ; Muscle Hypotonia

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify multidimensional factors influencing burnout in intensive care unit(ICU) nurses. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected during February 2016 from a convenience sample of 222 tertiary hospital ICU nurses and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Burnout correlated positively with compassion fatigue (CF)(r=.37, p < .001), and negatively with compassion satisfaction (CS)(r=-.66, p < .001). The regression model explained 57% of the variance in burnout. For individual characteristics in the model, perceived health status (β=-.27, p < .001) and gender (β=.14, p=.028) were the most influential factors for ICU nurses' burnout. In the model with added work-related characteristics, nursing environment (β=-.22, p=.001), perceived health status (β=-.20, p=.001), and satisfaction with department (β=-.19, p=.007) were the most influential factors. Finally, for the model with psychological characteristics added, CS (β=-.56, p < .001) and CF (β=.35, p < .001) were the most influential factors. CONCLUSION: Results reveal that most ICU nurses have a moderate level of CF and a moderate to high level of CS and burnout, and that individual, work-related and psychological factors are relevant in ICU nurses' burnout. Programs or interventions to reduce burnout should be developed taking into account these multidimensional factors.
Compassion Fatigue ; Critical Care ; Empathy ; Intensive Care Units ; Nursing ; Personal Satisfaction ; Psychology ; Tertiary Care Centers

Angiomyolipoma is a common tumor of the kidney but has rarely been found in the mediastinum. We report a case of angiomyolipoma of the posterior mediastinum in a 62-year-old woman. She experienced exertional dyspnea and intermittent cough at admission. Computed tomography indicated a tumor located at the left paravertebral and upper posterior mediastinum and MRI imaging demonstrated a mass with low signal intensity in T1-weighted image at T4-5 level. Thoracotomy was done for surgical removal of the tumor and histologic examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor composed of mature fat, capillaries and smooth muscle fibers. The tumor was immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and factor-VIII (for vascular component) smooth muscle actin (for smooth muscle component) and S-100 protein (for fat component). There have been four case reports about mediastinal angiomyolipoma, namely three Japanese cases and one French case. It is suggested that angiomyolipoma could be considered for the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors.
Angiomyolipoma/*pathology/surgery ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Mediastinal Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Middle Age

Postinfectious streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) presenting as a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a rare disease in elderly patients. Here we report a case of PSGN with RPGN and NS in an elderly male patient with a complete recovery from his illness. A 73-year-old man was admitted for dyspnea, oliguria and generalized edema appearing after acute upper respiratory infection. On admission, he presented nephrotic range of proteinuria, decreased renal function with elevated ASO, and decreased C3 and CH50 concentrations. The renal biopsy showed marked cellular crescents in the glomeruli with collapsed glomerular tufts and inflammatory cell infiltration. There were prominent and various sizes of "humps" in subepithelial areas in electron microscopy. Under the diagnosis of PSGN with RPGN, we successfully treated the patient with steroid pulse therapy and hemodialysis. We would suggest that early diagnosis and aggressive steroid therapy should be indicated in the treatment of PSGN with RPGN.
Aged* ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Edema ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Oliguria ; Proteinuria ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Dialysis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic cutaneous inflammatory disease. Various categories of therapeutic medications are used for treating AD. Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody that binds to IgE molecules at the high-affinity receptor (FcepsilonRI) binding site. Therefore, omalizumab can be used as a potential new systemic treatment agent for recalcitrant AD patients with elevated IgE levels. A 34-year-old man had been treated for AD with several topical and oral agents. However, he was refractory to these therapies and his serum IgE levels were very high. We treated him with omalizumab. After 8 months of the treatment, his symptoms were notably improved and the SCORAD index was decreased. Thus, we report on the first case of recalcitrant AD that was successfully treated with omalizumab in Korea.
Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Binding Sites ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Omalizumab

OBJECTIVE: Although Type D personality has been associated with the prognosis of various cardiac diseases, few studies have investigated the influence of Type D personality on the cardiac and psychiatric prognoses of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Depression, anxiety, and quality of life were measured at baseline and 6 months. The recurrence of AF was measured during 1-year following radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AF. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests were used to compare the cumulative recurrence of AF. ACox proportional hazard model was conducted to identify factors that contribute to the recurrence of AF. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients admitted for RFCA were recruited. Patients with a Type D personality had higher levels of depression and anxiety and a poorer quality of life compared to controls. Although depression, anxiety, and quality of life had improved 6 months after RFCA, significant differences in psychiatric symptoms remained between patients with and without Type D personality. In the Cox models, the type of AF was the only factor that influenced the recurrence of AF. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Type D personality predominately influences psychological distress in patients with AF, but not the recurrence of AF.
Anxiety ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters* ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Methods ; Prognosis* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Type D Personality*

PURPOSE: Excluding RSV, the relationship between bronchiolitis caused by viruses and the development of wheezing and atopy in childhood has not been well studied. We studied this relationship in children who had bronchiolitis caused by human bocavirus before 2 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 2,430 throat swab obstained between January 2005 and December 2007 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract disease at the Kwangju Christian Hospital. Human bocavirus was detected in 112 patients. A total of 61 patients less than 2 years of age were finally enrolled in this study. Patients were followed up between April and June of 2008. We measured the frequency of wheezing and atopic status using (allergy skin-prick tests, CAP tests and MAST tests). RESULTS: Of the 61 patients, 16 (26.2%) had recurrent wheezing. Of these 16 patients, 8 (13.1%) had Infrequent wheezing (1-2 wheezing episodes) and 8 (13.1%) had frequent wheezing (3 and over wheezing episodes). Of the total 61 patients, 18 (29.5%) completed allergy tests. Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.6%) were sensitized to at least 1 allergen. Recurrent wheezing was significantly associated with the severity of bronchiolitis (mild vs. moderate vs. severe; 9.1% vs. 22.2% vs. 66.7%). CONCLUSION: Human bocavirus-induced bronchiolitis in childhood are an independent risk factor for development of wheezing in childhood and may be associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization. The most important risk factor for recurrent wheezing is the severity of lower respiratory tract illnesses.
Bronchiolitis ; Child ; Human bocavirus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Pharynx ; Respiratory Sounds ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors