Objectives: . Resident macrophages are well known to be present in the cochlea, but the exact patterns thereof in spiral ligaments have not been discussed in previous studies. We sought to document the distribution of macrophages in intact cochleae using three-dimensional imaging. Methods: . Cochleae were obtained from C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1+/GFP mice, and organ clearing was performed. Three-dimensional images of cleared intact cochleae were reconstructed using two-photon microscopy. The locations of individual macrophages were investigated using 100-μm stacked images to reduce bias. Cochlear inflammation was then induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inoculation into the middle ear through the tympanic membrane. Four days after inoculation, three-dimensional images were obtained. Results: . Macrophages were scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis, particularly the area just beneath it even though many have suspected macrophages to be abundant in this area. This finding remained consistent upon LPS-induced cochlear inflammation, despite a significant increase in the number of macrophages, compared to non-treated cochlea. Conclusion . Resident macrophages in spiral ligaments are scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis.

Objectives: . Resident macrophages are well known to be present in the cochlea, but the exact patterns thereof in spiral ligaments have not been discussed in previous studies. We sought to document the distribution of macrophages in intact cochleae using three-dimensional imaging. Methods: . Cochleae were obtained from C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1+/GFP mice, and organ clearing was performed. Three-dimensional images of cleared intact cochleae were reconstructed using two-photon microscopy. The locations of individual macrophages were investigated using 100-μm stacked images to reduce bias. Cochlear inflammation was then induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inoculation into the middle ear through the tympanic membrane. Four days after inoculation, three-dimensional images were obtained. Results: . Macrophages were scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis, particularly the area just beneath it even though many have suspected macrophages to be abundant in this area. This finding remained consistent upon LPS-induced cochlear inflammation, despite a significant increase in the number of macrophages, compared to non-treated cochlea. Conclusion . Resident macrophages in spiral ligaments are scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis.

Among the various types of congenital meniscal anomalies, the double-layered lateral meniscus is extremely rare. The double-layered meniscus consists of both the upper additional and the lower normal meniscus. As the upper additional meniscus is mobile, it can be easily displaced, while the lower lateral meniscus is usually normal in shape and volume. A 42-year-old woman suffering from pain and locking of her left knee underwent Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and an arthroscopic surgery. A rare meniscal abnormality was seen in her left knee, which presented as a double-layered lateral meniscus with displacement. It was remarkable that the upper additional meniscus was displaced over the intercondylar eminence of the tibia and it mimicked a bucket-handle tear. Even though it is rare, it is necessary to consider the possibility of displaced double-layered meniscus in the differential diagnosis of a bucket-handle tear. Here, we report the MRI and arthroscopic findings of a displaced double-layered lateral meniscus, which was similar to the bucket-handle tear.
Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Menisci, Tibial* ; Tears* ; Tibia

PURPOSE: We checked voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in patients with congenital hydronephrosis (CHN) and followed up the occurrence of urinary tract infection(UTI) in these patients. And we tried to figure out the relationship between CHN and VUR and UTI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in 122 CHN patients who received VCUG from 2002 to 2008 at Ajou University Hospital. We executed logistic regression, chi-square test and T-test using version 16.0 SPSS package for the statistical analysis. P<0.05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Most patients with CHN were male (73%) and there was a tendency of preferences for unilateral (77%) and left (84%) occurrence of hydronephrosis. The incidence of VUR was 18.9 % among 122 CHN patients and no laterality difference was found to the severity of VUR or hydronephrosis. The incidences of VUR and UTI was higher in group of higher grade (III-IV) CHN patients, when compared to the lower group, respectively. When VUR was present in CHN patients, the incidence of UTI during infancy was also higher. CONCLUSION: The incidence of VUR was higher in patients with higher grades of CHN. The incidence of UTI during infancy was higher when VUR was present in the CHN patients.
Child ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

BACKGROUND: The information on nasal transport and the metabolism of peptides have been obtained from pharmacokinetic investigations in experimental animals. However, there are no transport and metabolic studies of human nasal epithelial cells. In this study, the permeability characteristics and the metabolic properties of in vitro human nasal cell monolayers were investigated. Material and METHODS: Normal human inferior nasal conchal tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing endoscopic nasal cavitary surgery. The specimens were cultured in a transwell using an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture, and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of the blank filter and confluent cell monolayers were measured. To determine the % leakage of mannitol, 4µmol 14C-labelled mannitol was added and the % leakage was measured every 10 minute for 1 hour. RESULT: Human nasal epithelial cells in the primary culture grew to a confluent monolayer within 7 days and expressed microvilli. The tight junction between the cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The TEER value of the blank filter, fifth day and seventh day reached 108.5 ohm.cm2, 141 ohm.cm2 and 177.5 ohm.cm2, respectively. Transcellular % leakage of the 14C-mannitol at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes was 35.67±5.43, 34.42±5.60, 32.75±5.71, 31.76±4.22, 30.96±3.49 and 29.60±3.68 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The human nasal epithelial monolayer using ALI using techniques is suitable for a transcellular permeability study. The data suggests that human nasal epithelial cells in as ALI culture technique shows some promise for a nasal transport and metabolism study.
Animals ; Culture Techniques* ; Electric Impedance ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Mannitol ; Metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microvilli ; Peptides ; Permeability ; Tight Junctions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infection of congenital preauricular fistula leads to preauricular abscess. Generally, the treatment for preauricular abscess is focused on subsiding abscess. Although incision & drainage is major point of therapy, the study of bacterial species and antibiotics for preauricular abscess is scant in literature. So, we investigated the most common species that cause preauricular abscess and the choice of proper antibiotics by using the databse available from the last 10 years. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Our studies, from January, 2000 to December, 2010, included 86 patients in total (all in patients & out patients). We performed a retrospective review of bacterial species and culture analysis of each preauricular abscess. RESULTS: In this study, it was shown that most common pathogens causing preauricular fistula infection were Staphylococcus (27.9%), Enterococcus (9.3%), streptococcus and Klebsiella (5.8%) and Peptostreptococcus (4.6%). And Amoxicillin/cavulanate, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin had excellent effects of minimal inhibitory concentration through multiple pathogens. CONCLUSION: The choice of antibiotics for preauricular abscess will be targeted on Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus and anaerobic infection. Amoxicillin/clavulanate or Ciprofloxacin are the most effective antibiotics.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clindamycin ; Drainage ; Enterococcus ; Fistula ; Humans ; Klebsiella ; Peptostreptococcus ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite aggressive medical therapy and previous endoscopic sinus surgery, there are a subset of patients suffering from recalcitrant, persistent chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis which results from impaired mucocilliary clearance caused by long-standing inflammation. The corresponding patients underwent our newly devised Modified Inferior Meatal Mega-Antrostomy (Modified IMMA). The objective of this study was to review the clinical efficacy and complication after Modified IMMA in patients who had suffered from intractable maxillary sinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fourteen patients suffering from recalcitrant chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis underwent Modified IMMA between May 2010 and April 2013. The mean follow-up period was an average of about 13 months and regular intervals of postoperative 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-months were set. A retrospective review was performed to analyze the preoperative & postoperative Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS score) and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score at each interval. VAS scores and endoscopic findings were processed statistically at the time of third postoperative month. The exclusion criteria were an obstructed ostiums, osteitis, systemic disease such as Ig A/G immunodeficiency, primary ciliary dyskinesia. RESULTS: The postoperative VAS scores and Lund-Kennedy scores, when compared with those prior to Modified IMMA, decreased from 16.5 to 2.5 and 5.0 to 1.0, respectively. Also, there was no serious complication or recurrence associated with the procedures. CONCLUSION: Our newly devised Modified IMMA could be a much effective option for surgical treatments in patients with recalcitrant chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis.
Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Osteitis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stress, Psychological

Delivery of Health Care ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Korea ; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine ; Mumps ; Republic of Korea ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Vaccination

Background: Prevailing insulin regimens for glycemic control in hospitalized patients have changed over time. We aimed to determine whether the current basal-bolus insulin (BBI) regimen is superior to the previous insulin regimen, mainly comprising split-mixed insulin therapy. Methods: This was a single tertiary center, retrospective observational study that included non-critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with split-mixed insulin regimens from 2004 to 2007 (period 1) and with BBI from 2008 to 2018 (period 2). Patients from each period were analyzed after propensity score matching. The mean difference in glucose levels and the achievement of fasting and preprandial glycemic targets by day 6 of admission were assessed. The total daily insulin dose, incidence of hypoglycemia, and length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Results: Among 244 patients from each period, both fasting glucose (estimated mean±standard error, 147.4±3.1 mg/dL vs. 129.4±3.2 mg/dL, P<0.001, day 6) and preprandial glucose (177.7±2.8 mg/dL vs. 152.8±2.8 mg/dL, P<0.001, day 6) were lower in period 2 than in period 1. By day 6 of hospital admission, 42.6% and 67.2% of patients achieved a preprandial glycemic target of <140 mg/dL in periods 1 and 2, respectively (relative risk, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.54 to 2.59), without an increased incidence of hypoglycemia. Length of stay was shorter in period 2 (10.23±0.26 days vs. 8.70±0.26 days, P<0.001). Conclusion BBI improved glycemic control in a more efficacious manner than a split-mixed insulin regimen without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia in a hospital setting.

There are only limited data regarding the seroprevalence of measles of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Korea. We evaluated the seroprevalence of measles in HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Korea. A total of 7,411 HCWs born from 1952 to 1995 underwent antibody test. The overall seropositivity of measles was 73% (95% confidence interval, 72 – 74). The seropositivity of measles sharply declined from 85% in the 1986 birth cohort to 42% in the 1995 birth cohort, thus signifying pockets of under-immunity. Our data warrant the need for routine antibody tests, followed by measles vaccination or routine measles vaccination in young Korean HCWs.