PURPOSE: Despite the reduced incidence and mortality of gastric cancer, this illness still remains the second leading cause of cancer death in Korea. Various adjuvant chemotherapies have been proposed for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Randomized trials comparing chemotherapies with best supportive care have consistently shown that cytotoxic treatment is of some benefit. Nevertheless, there has been no major improvement in the overall prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: We have examined the chemotherapy sensitivity of advanced gastric cancer specimens by using an ex vivo ATP based chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA). A variety of chemotherapeutic agents were tested. The one hundred and forty specimens we tested were from resection specimens. RESULTS: The histological tumor classification, lymphatic invasion, neural invasion and venous invasion affected the chemosensitivity of some drugs. 5-FU was a more potent drug than cisplatin, doxorubicin, iriontecan and methotrexate. The chemosensitivity of differentiated cancer was different compared to that of undifferentiated cancer. Doxorubicin and iriontecan were more effective in poorly differentiated, signet ring cell and diffuse type cancers. The manner of tumor invasion affected the chemosensitivity to some drugs. CONCLUSISON: Further study is necessary to assess the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs on advanced gastric cancer, including their effect on tumor recurrence and patient survival.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Cisplatin ; Doxorubicin ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Methotrexate ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms

A 12-month-old domestic rabbit died suddenly without specific clinical signs. Gross examination revealed irregular yellowish hepatic nodules with pus in the submandibular muscles, lungs, uterus, and small intestines. Histopathological examination of the liver showed granulomatous inflammation with acid-fast-positive bacteria. Mycobacterium bovis SB1040 was identified by polymerase chain reaction and spoligotyping, and Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the multiple lesions. This report demonstrates the pathological features of rare bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in a domestic rabbit, the first case in the Republic of Korea. To ensure public safety, we recommend routine monitoring of rabbits to control the incidence of bTB.

Abstract: This paper describes the development of neurological signs of two prematurely born calves four days after birth. The pathological examination results indicated fibrinopurulent polyserositis, including meningoencephalitis with suppurative bronchopneumonia. Bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 2a was detected in most of the internal organs, and the bacterial colonies cultured from the samples were identified as Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae. Molecular analysis via multilocus sequence typing identified a different K.pneumoniae isolate in each calf-type 14 in calf A and type 65 in calf B. This is the first report identifying K.pneumoniae sequence types 14 and 65 in cattle.

BACKGROUND: The most common surgical treatment for paralytic lagophthalmos is the placement of a weight implant in the upper eyelid; however, this technique confers the risks of implant visibility, implant extrusion, and entropion. In this study, we present a new technique of placing platinum weight implants between the levator aponeurosis and inner septum to decrease such complications. METHODS: A total of 37 patients with paralytic lagophthalmos were treated between March 2014 and January 2017 with platinum weight placement (mean follow-up, 520.1 days). After dissecting through the orbicularis oculi muscle, the tarsal plate and levator aponeurosis were exposed. The platinum weights (1.0–1.4 g) were fixed to the upper margin of the tarsal plate and placed underneath the orbital septum. RESULTS: Five patients could partially close their eye after surgery. The average distance between the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid when the eyes were closed was 1.12 mm. The rest of the patients were able to close their eye completely. Three patients patient developed allergic conjunctivitis after platinum weight insertion, which was managed with medication. None of the patients complained of discomfort in the upper eyelid after surgery. Visibility or extrusion of the implant were observed in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Postseptal weight placement is a safe and reproducible method in both primary and secondary upper eyelid surgery for patients with paralytic lagophthalmos. It is a feasible method for preventing implant visibility, implant exposure, and entropion. Moreover, platinum is a better implant material than gold because of its smaller size and greater thinness.
Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Entropion ; Eyelid Diseases ; Eyelids* ; Facial Paralysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Orbit ; Platinum* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Thinness ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Eyelids* ; Platinum*

Background: Since 2013, the number of requests for diagnosis for horses based on neurological symptoms has increased rapidly in South Korea. The affected horses have commonly exhibited symptoms of acute seasonal hindlimb ataxia. A previous study from 2015–2016 identified Setaria digitata as the causative agent. Objectives: This study is an epidemiological investigation to find out risk factors related to the rapid increase in hindlimb ataxia of horses due to aberrant parasites in South Korea. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted on 155 cohabiting horses in 41 horse ranches where the disease occurred. The surrounding environment was investigated at the disease-causing horse ranches (n = 41) and 20, randomly selected, non-infected ranches. Results: Hindlimb ataxia was confirmed in nine cohabiting horses; this was presumed to be caused by ectopic parasitism. Environments that mosquitoes inhabit, such as paddy fields within 2 km and less than 0.5 km from a river, had the greatest association with disease occurrence. Conclusions Most horse ranches in South Korea are situated in favorable environments for mosquitoes. Moreover, the number of mosquitoes in the country has increased since 2013 due to climate change. Additional research is required; however, these data show that it is necessary to establish guidelines for the use of anthelmintic agents based on local factors in South Korea and disinfection of the environment to prevent disease outbreaks.

An 8-year-old female Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) reared in a wetland center, died 2 h after sudden onset of astasia and dyspnea despite medical treatment. Gross examination of internal organs revealed 10 adult filarioid nematodes in the right ventricle of the heart and three between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. All nematodes were identified as Dirofilaria immitis by direct microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assay. Histopathological observation revealed multifocal hemorrhage in the cerebral subarachnoid space and focal necrosis with hemorrhagein the cerebellar parenchyma. Although rare, veterinarians should consider cerebral dirofilariasis as a differential diagnosis in unexplained neurological cases.

Eight rabbits exhibited head tilt and subsequently died. At necropsy, three rabbits had crusty deposits in ears and four had reddish lungs. The main histopathological features were severe diffuse suppurative meningoencephalitis (75.0% of rabbits), fibrinopurulent pneumonia (37.5%), and otitis externa (37.5%). Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) was isolated from brains, ears, and lungs. The capsular serogroups of the isolates were untypable. Based on histopathological features and bacterial analysis results, the rabbits were diagnosed as P. multocida infection. P. multocida infections might result in considerable economic loss in commercial rabbit production facilities in Korea.

Two 12-month-old cattle with anthelmintics containing trichlorfon the day before death presented to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for diagnosis. In necropsy, they revealed enlargement of the spleens, redness of mucosa and serosa in stomachs and intestines, and friable kidneys. Histopathologically, hemorrhages in the spleens, omasums, abomasums, and intestines as well as renal tubular necrosis were observed. Trichlorfon was detected at above the lethal dose in the ruminal contents. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as death caused by trichlorfon poisoning.

PURPOSE: Skin grafts have been widely used in managing extensive chest wall defects after mastectomy for advanced breast cancer. However, their durability and tolerability to radiotherapy is still controversial. A thoracoabdominal (TA) flap with a few technical refinements can safely transfer a larger flap while minimizing complications. METHODS: From January 2007 to February 2018, a retrospective review was performed to compare 2 groups after wide breast excision: skin graft group (group 1) and lateral-based, single vertical incision rotation-advancement TA flap (group 2). Patients' demographics, operative details, complications, hospital stay, postoperative outpatient visits, cost, and start of adjuvant therapy were analyzed between the 2 groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 34 patients received skin graft and 41 patients received TA flap. group 2 had a shorter hospital stay (6.41 ± 2.64 days vs. 12.62 ± 4.60 days, P < 0.001) and shorter time to complete wound healing (29.27 ± 18.68 days vs. 39.24 ± 27.70 days, P = 0.03) than group 1. There was also a difference in the period from surgery to initiation of adjuvant therapy (group 1, 45.04 days ± 17.79 days; group 2, 37.07 ± 15.38 days, P = 0.073). Although limitation in shoulder motion was more frequent in group 2, limitation of motion for >1 year was observed in 4 patients in only group 1 (43.90% vs. 38.24%, P = 0.613). CONCLUSION: TA flap has a simple design that minimizes concerns involving the donor site. Moreover, it does not require complicated procedures and allows for re-elevation whenever necessary. Finally, it guarantees faster wound recovery than skin graft with fewer complications.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Demography ; Humans ; Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms ; Length of Stay ; Mastectomy ; Outpatients ; Radiotherapy ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries