Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii) complex, which includes A. calcoaceticus (genospecies 1), A. baumannii (genospecies 2), Acinetobacter genospecies 3 and 13, has been identified as A. baumannii by automated bacteria identification system. The purpose of this study is to develop rapid genospecies classification of A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex by molecular techniques. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were determined for 4 reference strains and 80 isolates of A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex from clinical sources. Four and eleven RAPD patterns were observed among the reference strains and the isolates, respectively. RAPD might be useful for genomic typing but not for genospecies classification of Acinetobacter spp. RFLP of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer gene with three selected restriction enzymes (ApaLI, SwaI, and SalI) showed only four RFLP patterns in the reference and the isolates. Of 80 isolates, 10 of A. calcoaceticus (12.5%), 50 of A. baumannii (62.5%), 11 of A. genospecies 3 (13.75%), and 9 of A. genospecies 13 (11.25%) were classified by RFLP. This result suggests that RFLP of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer gene of A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex might be useful for genospecies classification.
Acinetobacter ; Bacteria ; DNA ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

Abstract: This study examined the prevalence of adherence factors, toxin genes, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, and resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from piglets with diarrhea before and after the ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in Korea from 2007 to 2018. In this period, pathogenic 474 E. coli isolates were obtained from diarrheic piglets. The virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes were assayed using a polymerase chain reaction, and the susceptibility to antibiotics was tested according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. After the ban on AGPs, the frequency of F4 (12.5% to 32.7%) increased significantly, and LT (31.9% to 20.3%) and EAST-I (46.5% to 35.2%) decreased significantly. In addition, the resistance to streptomycin (45.8% to 67.9%), cephalothin (34.0% to 59.4%), and cefazlin (10.4% to 28.8%) increased significantly. Colistin resistance plasmid-mediated genes, mcr-1 and mcr-3, were detected after the ban on AGPs. The results of this study can provide useful data for analyzing the impact of the ban on AGPs on the virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from piglets with diarrhea in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The automation system for blood typing and antibody screening has been developed and is now used widely. In this study, we evaluated the economic effectiveness between automation system QWALYS-3 (DIAGAST, Loos Cedex, France) and manual testing. METHODS: Clinical samples from March 2012 were used for comparison of the costs and TAT for ABO-RhD blood typing and antibody screening. The costs included those of materials (reagents and consumables), labor, and equipment depreciation. TAT was analyzed for either blood typing only for one, 16, and 32 samples or blood typing and antibody screening for the same number of samples. RESULTS: The blood typing TAT for one, 16, and 32 samples was 4.5, 35.1, and 70.1 minutes by manual and 24.0, 36.0, and 38.1 minutes by automated system. Both blood typing and antibody screening TAT for one, 16, and 32 samples was 27.5, 75.0, and 129.9 minutes by manual and 45.0, 52.0, and 54.0 minutes by automation. CONCLUSION: The blood automation system reduced TAT only for the batch test, therefore, when using the automation system, blood bank test size and emergency situation should be considered.
Automation* ; Blood Banks* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching* ; Depreciation ; Emergencies ; Mass Screening*

Primary non-Hodgkin' lymphomas of the liver, an organ normally devoid of a native lymphoid tissue, are very rare. We recently experienced a case of a primary low-grade hepatic B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type in a 36-year-old woman. The ultrasonography revealed a 5 cm sized mass in the right lobe of the liver. A right segmentectomy of the liver was done and showed a relatively well-circumscribed brownish yellow lobulated homogenous mass, measuring 5.5x4.5 cm in size. Histologic sections of liver mass revealed large lymphoid follicles with reactive germinal centers, follicular colonization by centrocyte-like cells (CCL cells), and lymphoepithelial lesions. The CCL cells were positive for B-cell (CD20), LCA (CD45RA), Bcl-2 oncoprotein, and lambda light chain.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes ; Colon ; Female ; Germinal Center ; Humans ; Liver* ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Ultrasonography

To diagnose colibacillosis, detection of O-serogroups and virulence genes has been recommended worldwide. The prevalence of virulence factors can fluctuate over time. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of O-serogroups, virulence genes, and F18 subtypes among pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from weaned piglets with diarrhea in Korea. Between 2008 and 2016, 362 E. coli were isolated from weaned piglets with diarrhea. Hemolysis was determined in blood agar, and O-serogroups were identified using the slide agglutination technique. The genes for the toxins and fimbriae were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Real-time PCR was conducted to discriminate between F18 subtypes. Although the most prevalent serogroup was O149 (11.3%) in the last 9 years, O139 (19.1%) became the most prevalent in recent years (2015–2016). The most predominant pathotype was enterotoxigenic E. coli (61.3%). The frequencies of Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (23.4%), O139 (19.1%), Stx2e (35.1%), and F18ab (48.7%) increased over the most recent years. Although enterotoxigenic E. coli was the most predominant pathotype, the frequencies of O139, Stx2e, STEC, and F18ab have increased in recent years. These results demonstrate that there have been temporal changes in the predominant O-serogroups and virulence genes over the last decade in Korea. These findings can be practicable for use in epidemiology and control measures for enteric colibacillosis in Korean piggeries.
Agar ; Agglutination ; Diarrhea ; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ; Epidemiology ; Escherichia coli ; Escherichia ; Hemolysis ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serogroup ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli ; Virulence Factors ; Virulence

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impacts of stroke on sexual activities and functioning of patients with stroke and to study the associations of clinical and psychosocial factors with sexual changes following stroke. METHOD: Ninety-seven patients with stroke were interviewed and completed questionnaire concerning their prestroke and poststroke coital frequency, sexual satisfaction, and sexual functions such as erection, ejaculation, and vaginal lubrication. RESULTS: Sexual activities such as coital frequency and sexual satisfaction were decreased in patients after stroke. Sexual dysfunctions including impotence (68%), a decline in ejaculation (66.7%), and a decline in vaginal lubrication (89.5%) were high. Subjective reasons for decreased sexual life after stroke were denial of spouse, impotence, decreased libido, no opportunity of sexual activity due to hospitalization or no sexual partner, fear of relapse, physical discomfort due to hemiparesis and so on. Comparing sexual group with no sexual group after stroke, there were different in age (p=0.040), brain lesion site (p=0.036), prestroke coital frequency (p=0.048), erectile ability (p=0.005), and ejaculation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The decline in sexual activities and functioning was due to interpersonal, physical, psychological factors among patients following stroke.
Brain ; Coitus ; Denial (Psychology) ; Ejaculation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Libido ; Lubrication ; Male ; Paresis ; Psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recurrence ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Spouses ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carbonated water on etched or sealed enamel according to the carbonation level and the presence of calcium ions. METHODS: Carbonated water with different carbonation levels was manufactured by a soda carbonator. Seventy-five premolar teeth were randomly divided into a control group and 4 experimental groups in accordance with the carbonation level and the presence of calcium ions in the test solutions. After specimen preparation of the Unexposed, Etched, and Sealed enamel subgroups, all the specimens were submerged in each test solution for 15 minutes three times a day during 7 days. Microhardness tests on the Unexposed and Etched enamel subgroups were performed with 10 specimens from each group. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests on the Unexposed, Etched, and Sealed enamel subgroups were performed with 5 specimens from each group. Microhardness changes in different groups were statistically compared using paired t-tests, the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The microhardness changes were significantly different between the groups (p = 0.000). The microhardness changes in all experimental groups except Group 3 (low-level carbonated water with calcium ions) were significantly greater than those in the Control group. SEM showed that etched areas of the specimen were affected by carbonated water and the magnitude of destruction varied between groups. Adhesive material was partially removed in groups exposed to carbonated water. CONCLUSIONS Carbonated water has negative effects on etched or sealed enamel, resulting in decreased microhardness and removal of the adhesive material.

BACKGROUND: Menstrual irregularity is a common major complaint in women of reproductive age. It is also a known marker for underlying insulin resistance. We investigated the association between menstrual irregularity and metabolic syndrome in the general population of middle-aged women in Korea. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012. A total of 2,742 subjects were included in the analysis. Participants were divided into two categories based on their menstrual cycle regularity and the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its variables was investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Adjusted analyses revealed significantly higher odds ratios for metabolic syndrome, high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with the presence of menstrual irregularity. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome and its components (high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels) were significantly associated with menstrual irregularity in women of reproductive age.
Cholesterol, HDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: Several aspects of female reproduction, from folliculogenesis to corpus luteum function, are related to angiogenesis. The purpose of this study is to measure the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in follicular fluid and serum in patients during In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. METHODS: In our prospective study, twenty-nine patients who underwent in vitro fertilization by GnRH agonist short protocol were assessed at the our infertility clinic from Aug. 2003 to July 2005. Serum VEGF and follicular fluid VEGF levels were measured in all patients at the time of oocytes retrieval. The assay technique used in this study was ELISA for serum and follicular fluid VEGF. RESULTS: Of 29 cycles, 10 cycles were pregnant (34.5%). A positive correlation existed for follicular fluid VEGF and chronologic age (r=0.428, p-value=0.021). Follicular fluid VEGF concentration showed an inverse relationship with the total number of oocytes retrieved and follicles (r=-0.493, p-value=0.007; r=-0.474, p-value=0.009). But there was no statistically significant relationship between follicular fluid VEGF concentration and serum VEGF concentration (rho=0.347). Follicular fluid VEGF concentration was significantly higher in the non-pregnant group (1468.38+/-727.33 pg/mL) compared to the pregnant group (676.48+/-542.07 pg/mL) (p-value=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our data provide some of the evidences that elevated VEGF concentrations in the follicular fluid are associated with poor conception rates in the IVF-ET cycles.
Corpus Luteum ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Prospective Studies ; Reproduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Ritodrine hydrochloride (Yutopar) is commonly used for the treatment of preterm labor. Published reports claim that many complications of prematurity have been averted by the administration of this drug. However, ritodrine hydrochloride has many side effects, including cardiovascular problem and metabolic error. Only a few reports have described the transient hepatitis (elevated transaminase) all over the world. The clinical significance and incidence of this side effect are still unclear. In this report, we present a case of elevated serum transaminase levels associated with the use of ritodrine during pregnancy with a brief review of the literatures.
Female ; Hepatitis ; Incidence ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy* ; Ritodrine*