BACKGROUND: It is one of anesthesiologist's important tasks to know the accurate recovery state of a patient after general anesthesia. Postanesthetic recovery score (PARS) has been widely used as a measure of evaluating recovery state because it is simple, easy to apply and applicapable to all situations. In this study, we investigated whether there were correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time, and examined factors influencing PAR-stay time. METHODS: Two hundreds and five patients were selected randomly. PARS was measured in each patient immediately after he or she arrived at PAR. Correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time were studied. And other variables such as age, sex, physical status, operation site and anesthetic time were studied as influencing factors on PAR-stay time. RESULTS: There were no significant correlations between PARS and PAR-stay time. PARS was influenced by the operation site only. And PAR-stay time was influenced by the patient's age only. CONCLUSIONS: In evaluating the postanesthetic recovery state, it seems to be important to consider not only PARS but also other factors such as patient's age.
Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Recovery Room*

PURPOSE: 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG) repairs DNA by removing 8-oxoguanine (oh8Gua), a highly mutagenic oxidative DNA adduct. Recently, the human gene for OGG (hOGG1) was cloned and several genotypes have been reported. However, the implications of such genotypes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been demonstrated. To assess the involvement of hOGG1 associated with the aging process on the development of BPH, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of hOGG1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 162 cases of BPH and 162 normal controls we studied the hOGG1 gene polymorphisms by performing genotype studies to characterize the genetic polymorphisms of hOGG1. RESULTS: We found a polymorphism at codon 326 in exon 7. The distribution of hOGG1 genotypes at codon 326 in BPH patients (Ser326Ser type, 18.5%; Ser326Cys type, 42.0%; and Cys326Cys type, 39.5%) was significantly different from that in the controls (14.8%, 63.0% and 22.2%, respectively) (p=0.022). Homozygosity for the Cys326Cys genotype significantly increased the risk of developing BPH, with the odds ratio (OR) being 2.286 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.149-4.546). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the hOGG1 Cys326Cys genotype might play an important role in the development of BPH.
Aging* ; Clone Cells ; Codon ; DNA ; DNA Glycosylases ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*

PURPOSE: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most potent environmental pollutants, is known to disrupt the endocrine, immune, and reproductive system. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of a panax ginseng water extract (PG-WE) on the survival rate, sperm quality, and fertility impaired by TCDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty male guinea pigs were divided into 8 groups. The normal control group received the vehicle and saline. TCDD was intraperitoneally injected at a single dose of 1microgram/kg. A PG-WE was administered at 100 or 200mg/kg/ day 1wk prior to (P groups) or subsequent to (C groups) TCDD-exposure for 12 and 10 weeks, respectively. The G groups received the vehicle and the PG-WE of 100 or 200mg/kg/day, respectively. The parameters for the male guinea pigs were assessed for 40 weeks. The effects on the F1 generation were assessed at a growth period of F1. RESULTS: All single TCDD-treated group animals died within 18 days and the survival rate of the PG-WE-treated groups increased in a dose dependant manner. Forty to 70% of the P and C groups survived until the 40th week and reached sexual maturation. The death rate of the progeny born from the PG-WE-treated groups was significantly lower than that in the NC group (14.3%). The M/F ratio of the F1 generation in the P and C groups had higher female birth ratio. The sperm number and morphology showed no significant differences among the groups. The PG-WE increased the sperm motility in the guinea pigs exposed to TCDD. CONCLUSIONS: Panax ginseng is a useful agent that can neutralize endocrine disrupters and environmental pollutants, and help maintain a high sperm quality after a growth period.
Animals ; Environmental Pollutants ; Female ; Fertility ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Panax* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy* ; Sexual Maturation ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Survival Rate ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin* ; Water

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of mitochondrial disease (MD) involves the disruption of cellular energy metabolism, which results from defects in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (MRC). We investigated whether infants with MRC I defects showed ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscle. METHODS: Twelve infants were enrolled in this study. They were initially evaluated for unexplained neurodegenerative symptoms, myopathies, or other progressive multiorgan involvement, and underwent muscle biopsies when MD was suspected. Muscle tissue samples were subjected to biochemical enzyme assays and observation by transmission electron microscopy. We compared and analyzed the ultrastructure of skeletal muscle tissues obtained from patients with and without MRC I defects. RESULTS: Biochemical enzyme assays confirmed the presence of MRC I defects in 7 of the 12 patients. Larger mitochondria, lipid droplets, and fused structures between the outer mitochondrial membrane and lipid droplets were observed in the skeletal muscles of patients with MRC I defects. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial functional defects in MRC I disrupt certain activities related to adenosine triphosphate synthesis that produce changes in the skeletal muscle. The ultrastructural changes observed in the infants in this study might serve as unique markers for the detection of MD.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Biopsy ; Electron Transport* ; Energy Metabolism ; Enzyme Assays ; Humans ; Infant* ; Lipid Droplets ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscular Diseases

Intramural pregnancy is one of the rarest forms of ectopic pregnancy. The pathologic diagnosis of the intramural ectopic pregnancy requires that the myometrium surrounds the products of conception separated from the endometrial cavity or fallopian tubes. Because the early diagnosis is very difficult, most cases are found after the onset of complications such as a uterine rupture or hemoperitoneum. The previous histories of curettage, cesarean section, myomectomy, salpingectomy and manual removal of the placenta are known as possible etiology of the intramural pregnancy. We have recently experienced a case of intramural pregnancy after 10 times of curettages and are reporting with a brief review of the literatures.
Animals ; Cesarean Section ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Fertilization ; Hemoperitoneum ; Mice ; Myometrium ; Placenta ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Salpingectomy ; Uterine Rupture

A healthy 34-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit through the emergency room with a drowsy mentality and severe chilling. Following a diagnosis of septic shock of unknown origin, the patient was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and massive hydration. After recovery of consciousness, he complained of a severe toothache that originated from the right lower teeth. Under dental consultation, he was diagnosed as having an acute periapical abscess of the right mandibular first molar. The patient underwent extraction and cyst enucleation. Gram negative bacilli isolated from blood culture on day 5 after admission were identified as Prevotella species. After receiving antibiotic treatment and undergoing dental procedures, the patient made a full recovery. We report on a case of septic shock due to infection by Prevotella species in association with an acute periapical abscess.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Consciousness ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Molar ; Periapical Abscess ; Prevotella ; Shock, Septic ; Tooth ; Toothache

Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic disease, characterized by the presence and growth of functional endometrial-like tissue outside uterus. This ectopic endometrial tissue is most commonly found in the peritoneum, ovaries and uterosacral ligaments, but extremely rarely there is involvement of the appendix or cecum. Here we report a case of cecal endometriosis presenting as a subepithelial tumor diagnosed by surgical excision.
Appendix ; Cecum ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; Ligaments ; Ovary ; Peritoneum ; Uterus

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is a ubiquitous Gram-negative rod widely distributed in natural and hospital environments. It mostly causes meningitis in premature and newborn infants. Few such cases have been reported in Korea, and no case of community-acquired pneumonia caused by Chryseobacterium meningosepticum. A 53-year-old man was brought to the emergency department because of severe pneumonia. We report a case of community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis caused by Chryseobacterium meningosepticum.
Chryseobacterium ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Sepsis

BACKGROUND: The expressions of thymidylate synthase (TS), E2F-1, pRb, and p53 are correlated with DNA synthesis. The significance of their expressions is still controversial for predicting the outcome of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy in the patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. Furthermore, their prognostic value in the metastatic lesions of gastric carcinoma has not yet been confirmed. METHODS: To ascertain their prognostic value, we immunohistochemically analyzed the expressions of TS, E2F-1, pRb, and p53 in the primary tumors and the related metastatic lymph nodes, and we then compared the survival between the high and low expression group of each protein. Ninety four patients with advanced gastric carcinoma who were treated by complete resection and adjuvant 5-FU chemotherapy were analyzed. RESULTS: The TS expression in primary tumors was significantly correlated with that of E2F-1. The expression of these genes showed no significant difference between the primary tumors and the metastatic lymph nodes except for E2F-1, which was significantly higher in the lymph node metastasis than in the primary tumors. After complete resection and 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy, patients with a high TS expression in the primary tumors showed a longer survival than those patients having primary tumors with a low TS expression (p=0.0392). CONCLUSION: A high TS expression in the primary tumors may be related to a better outcome for advanced gastric cancer patients who were treated with 5-FU chemotherapy after curative resection.
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; DNA ; Drug Therapy* ; Fluorouracil* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Thymidylate Synthase*

As many Koreans now travel abroad, they are at increased risk for a variety of infectious diseases that are endemic to developing countries in the tropics and subtropics. We report two cases of co-infection with Giardia lamblia and Salmonella species not susceptible to nalidixic acid, after travel abroad.
Coinfection ; Communicable Diseases ; Developing Countries ; Giardia ; Giardia lamblia ; Nalidixic Acid ; Salmonella