This study investigated the effects of xylooligosaccharide on feces bifidobacteria proliferation, lactic acid concen-tration and lipid metabolism in healthy woman. Fourteen volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups : 1.4 g/day xylooligosaccharide intake group, 2.8 g/day xylooligosaccharide intake group. The duration of the study was 28 days. The amount of feces and excretion time were not affected by xylooligosaccharide intake. The color of feces changed to yellow brown, and hardness of stool and effort to evacuation were reduced by xylooligosaccharide intake. Xylooligo-saccharide intake reduced the fecal pH significantly after 14 days in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). The number of fecal bifidobacteria were significantly increased after 28 days in 1.4 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ), and in 2.8 g/day in-take group, the number of fecal bifidobacteria significantly increased after 14 days (p <0.05 ). Water contents of feces were not affected by xyloolgosacchride intake. The fecal triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were increased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ), and in 1.4 g/day intake group, fecal cholesterol concentration only was increased (p <0.05 ). The fecal lactic acid concentration was significantly increased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). Serum trigly-ceride, cholesterol and glucose concentration were significantly decreased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). In conclusion, xylooligosaccharide dietary supplementation may be beneficial to gastrointestinal health and lipid metabolism, and 2.8 g/day intake was more effective than 1.4 g/day intake.
Cholesterol ; Dietary Supplements ; Feces ; Female ; Glucose ; Hardness ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Triglycerides ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a basis for non-humidified low flow oxygen by nasal cannula and to provide a guide for consistent care in nursing practice. METHODS: A methodological study on the development of guidelines with experts' opinions on collected items, framing PICO questions, evaluating and synthesizing texts which were searched with the key words (low flow oxygen, nasal cannula, humidification of oxygen, guideline) from web search engines. RESULTS: Of the 45 researched texts on the web, 9 texts relevant to the theme were synthesized and evaluated. All patients with humidified or non-humidified oxygen therapy reported that they had no discomfort. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there are no tangible grounds for patients' perceived differences between the humidified and non-humidified oxygen under 4L/min supplied by nasal cannula. with oxygen. Therefore, non-humidification oxygen therapy is strongly advised when suppling under 4L/min oxygen by nasal cannula (recommended grade A).
Catheters ; Humans ; Oxygen

The HELLP syndrome, which is characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets, complicates 4 to 14% of preeclamptic or eclamptic pregnancy. Its course is usually benign except when spontaneous hepatic rupture, a rare catastrophic event, threatens life. The authors have experienced one case of spontaneous hepatic rupture in HELLP syndrome during immediate postpartum period, which was treated with surgical intervention on the first postpartum day. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Hemolysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Liver ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture*

Epinephrine is used with lidocaine to provide bloodless surgical field and to prolong the action of local anesthetics. But epinephrine also has many adverse reactions, such as agitation, restlessness, headache, tachycardia, hypertension, and some significantly more dangerous conditions including myocardial ischemia, ventricular arrhythmia, cerebral hemorrhage and pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest, etc. We have experienced epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary edema due to submucosal intranasal application of epinephrine soaked gauze during septoplasty. The patient was successfully treated in intensive care unit with positive pressure ventilation, diuretics, and inotropic support. He was extubated after 5 hours and discharged after 7 days without any complications.
Anesthetics, Local ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Dihydroergotamine ; Diuretics ; Epinephrine ; Headache ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intensive Care Units ; Lidocaine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Tachycardia

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cadmium is a toxic metal that is an occupational and environmental concern especially because of its human carcinogenicity; it induces serious adverse effects in various organs and tissues. Even low levels of exposure to cadmium could be harmful owing to its extremely long half-life in the body. Cadmium intoxication may be prevented by the consumption of dietary components that potentially reduce its accumulation in the body. Dietary chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from animal sources; it has been known for its ability to bind to divalent cations including cadmium, in addition to other beneficial effects including hypocholesterolemic and anticancer effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of dietary chitosan in reducing cadmium accumulation using an in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cadmium was administered orally at 2 mg (three times per week) to three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control, low-dose, and high-dose (0, 3, and 5%, respectively) chitosan diet groups for eight weeks. Cadmium accumulation, as well as tissue functional and histological changes, was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats fed the chitosan diet showed significantly lower levels of cadmium in blood and tissues including the kidneys, liver, and femur. Biochemical analysis of liver function including the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed that dietary chitosan reduced hepatic tissue damage caused by cadmium intoxication and prevented the associated bone disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary chitosan has the potential to reduce cadmium accumulation in the body as well as protect liver function and bone health against cadmium intoxication.
Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Cadmium* ; Cations, Divalent ; Chitosan* ; Diet ; Femur ; Half-Life ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: With the increasing use of antenatal sonography, fetal hydronephrosis has been reported more frequently. But, despite extensive clinical and scientific research much controversy still exists about the assessment and management of hydronephrosis. We performed a retrospective study to determine the frequency of associated malformations and chromosomal defects in prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis. METHODS: The records of 297 neonates who were diagnosed with hydronephrosis through antenatal ultrasonographic screening, were retrospectively analyzed. They were confirmed at 3 days to 1 month after birth with postnatal ultrasonography in Busan Paik Hospital, between January 2000 and December 2008. We karyotyped 297 neonates after ultrasonographic examination revealed hydronephrosis and malformations. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 31 (11%) cases of 297 cases and more common in female than male. The commonest chromosomal abnormality was trisomy 21, followed by Turner syndrome, deletion of autosome, unbalanced translocation. 127 cases in 109 infants had associated malformations such as urogenital and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal anomalies. The associated malformations were more common in moderate to severe hydronephrosis than mild and the number of additional abnormalities increased with the chromosomal defects. CONCLUSION: Particular attention should be paid for the cases in congenital hydronephrosis with any associated malformation such as urogenital and cardiac malformation, to investigate chromosomal abnormalities. This will enable clinicians to establish appropriate management and postnatal care.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Parturition ; Postnatal Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Turner Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Even though tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public concern in Korea, there are few data on the management of TB patients and its outcome in the private sector in contrast with those of the public sector. METHODS: The nine-hundred-twelve TB patients who were registered in a private university hospital from 2001 to 2002 were enrolled. The patients were divided into pulmonary (TB(P)), extrapulmonary (TB(E)), and combined (TB(P+E)) groups, and were also divided into initial and retreatment groups. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, treatment regimens, and outcomes were analyzed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean age of 912 patients was 49.2 years and the male-to-female ratio was 56%:44%. The number of patients of the initial and retreatment groups of TB(P), and those of (TB(E)+TB(P)+E) were 449, 169, 237, 57, respectively. The bacteriological study was performed in 97.9%, and positive culture was confirmed in 54.5% and 29.6% of patients with TB(P) and (TB(E)+TB(P)+E), respectively (P<0.05). The AFB smear was positive in 40.8% of TB(P) patients. The PCR was done in 63.6% of (TB(E)+TB(P)+E) group. The MDR was detected in 7.6% of isolates. Overall, treatment completion rate was 74.6%, default rate 13.7%, and death rate 0.5%. CONCLUSION: Even though the management of TB patients in a private hospital was satisfactory in terms of national guidelines, the high default rate was still a problem. Efforts to decrease the default rate is needed independently or in cooperation with the public sector.
Diagnosis* ; Hospitals, Private ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Private Sector ; Public Sector ; Retreatment ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis

Vascular injury caused by a central venous catheter (CVC) has been reported to be a rare complication, especially delayed vascular injury due to CVC has a few cases and it can be fatal because of delayed recognition and more serious complications. A 59-year-old woman with no available medical history was admitted for treatment of ovarian cancer. For the surgery, a triple-lumen CVC was placed through the left subclavian vein. Parenteral nutrition through the CVC was used for postoperative nutritional management in the first postoperative day. On the sixth postoperative day (POD), the patient suddenly complained of dyspnea. The CT revealed bilateral pleural effusion and irregular soft tissue density and air bubble in anterior mediastinum suggesting migration of the distal portion of the CVC into the anterior mediastium. In the intensive care unit (ICU) bilateral thoracentesis and percutaneous drainage were performed. She was discharged from the ICU in 3 days later and transferred to the general ward. This case emphasizes the possibility of the delayed vascular injury related to CVC and some strategies for prevention of vascular injury.
Central Venous Catheters* ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Mediastinitis* ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total* ; Patients' Rooms ; Pleural Effusion ; Subclavian Vein ; Thoracentesis ; Vascular System Injuries*

BACKGROUND: Direct antigen test (DAT) and culture are primary tests to diagnose infections by respiratory viruses, but are mainly available for the traditional viral pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus, parainfluenza virus (PIV), and adenovirus in clinical laboratories. The objective of this study was to evaluate a multiplex reverse transcriptase-PCR method using Seeplex(TM) RV Detection kit (Seegene, Korea) for the detection of rhinovirus, coronavirus, and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). METHODS: From January to May 2007, nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from pediatric patients negative for culture and DAT of traditional viral pathogens were tested with Seeplex(TM). All the amplicons were directly sequenced and homology of the sequences was searched in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Patients' medical records were reviewed for clinical and demographic features. RESULTS: Forty-seven (26.4%) of 178 NPAs were positive: 18 rhinovirus, 15 hMPV, 4 RSV A, 3 coronavirus OC43, 3 influenza virus A, 2 adenovirus, 1 coronavirus NL63, and 1 RSV B. Based on maximum identity, each of the sequences indicating rhinovirus, hMPV, and coronavirus OC43 matched to the corresponding viruses with homology of 94-98%, 96-99%, and 98-100%, respectively. Seeplex(TM) positive patients were 0-11 yr old with a male:female ratio of 1.5:1. Clinical diagnoses included 9 pneumonia, 6 bronchiolitis, 2 cold, 1 asthma exacerbation for rhinovirus; 10 pneumonia, 4 bronchiolitis, and 1 clinical sepsis for hPMV; and 1 pneumonia, 2 croup, and 1 cold for coronavirus. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex reverse transcriptase-PCR method using Seeplex(TM) RV Detection kit is a reliable test to detect rhinovirus, hMPV, and coronavirus. It may improve the diagnostic sensitivity for RSV, influenza virus, PIV, and adenovirus.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronavirus/classification/*isolation & purification ; Coronavirus 229E, Human/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Coronavirus OC43, Human/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Metapneumovirus/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Respiratory Tract Infections/*diagnosis/virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Rhinovirus/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND: Procedures for rapid identification and susceptibility testing by direct inoculation (DI) from positive blood culture bottles into an automated system have not been standardized. This study was purposed to evaluate DI from BACTEC 9240 blood culture system (BD, USA) into MicroScan (Dade Behring, USA) or Phoenix (BD, USA). METHODS: From May to June 2006, bacterial pellets from positive aerobic bottles showing gram-positive cocci (GPC) or gram-negative rods (GNR) of single morphology were directly inoculated to MicroScan PosCombo1A and NegCombo32 and to Phoenix PMIC/ID-107 and NMIC/ID-53. In addition, the automated instruments were also inoculated from subcultures (standard inoculations, SI). Species identification and susceptibilities were compared between DI and SI and between MicroScan and Phoenix. RESULTS: A total of 108, 104, and 78 specimens were tested with MicroScan, Phoenix, and both, respectively. When DI and SI were matched, 94.8% of GPC were correctly identified with MicroScan, compared to 80.7% with Phoenix, and 93.9% of GNR were correctly identified with MicroScan, compared to 95.7% with Phoenix. DI with MicroScan and Phoenix showed correct susceptibilities in 94.6% of 1,150 and 96.5% of 660 tests (with very major error [VME] of 1.1% and 1.1%), respectively, among GPC and in 94.4% of 942 and 96.3% of 781 tests (with VME of 0.6% and 0%), respectively, of GNR. Correlation of identification/susceptibilities between MicroScan and Phoenix using DI were 81.8%/98.0% for Staphylococcus aureus and 100.0%/95.6% for Escherichia coli. CONCLUSIONS: DI warrants a reliable method for identification and susceptibility testing of both GPC and GNR in MicroScan, and those of only GNR in Phoenix.
Automation ; Bacterial Typing Techniques/instrumentation/*methods ; Culture Media ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/*classification/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/blood/*microbiology ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/blood/*microbiology ; Gram-Positive Cocci/*classification/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/instrumentation/*methods ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity