PURPOSE: To compare the clinical characteristics and laboratory finding between adenoviral and group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed in the patients with adenovirus infection among those who were admitted for febrile respiratory disease from January 2011 to July 2013 and GAS pharyngitis among those who visited for symptoms of scarlet fever from August 2006 to July 2013. RESULTS: 179 patients (AV1 group) were diagnosed with adenoviral pharyngitis and 37 (AV2 group) of these patients had adenovirus single infection. 26 patients (GAS group) were diagnosed with scarlet fever. Adenoviral infection (AV2 group) developed in younger patients compared to GAS group (2.8+/-2.1 years vs. 5.4+/-1.8 years, P=0.000). Total durations of fever and admission were longer in AV2 (6.3+/-2.6 days vs. 3.3+/-1.9 days, P=0.000; 4.1+/-1.2 days vs. 1.9+/-1.8 days, P=0.000, respectively). WBC counts were higher in AV2 (11,449+/-5,680 cells/mm2 vs. 6,722+/-6,941 cells/mm2, P=0.000). CRP was not significantly different between AV2 and GAS group (3.8+/-3.2 mg/dL vs. 5.2+/-5.1 mg/dL, P=0.368). No difference was found between two groups in the percentage of antibiotics use (91.9% vs. 100%, P=0.261). CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics and measures of inflammation in the laboratory findings were similar between adenoviral and GAS pharyngitis group. It is necessary to conduct the test for respiratory virus and bacteria in early stage to differentiate in the pharyngitis patients with leukocytosis and elevation of CRP level.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviridae Infections ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Child* ; Fever ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukocytosis ; Medical Records ; Pharyngitis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scarlet Fever

PURPOSE: Perinatal asphyxia is a major factor correlated with diseases that cause respiratory distress in a neonate. So we aimed to investigate the relationship between respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) with plasma biological markers of perinatal asphyxia in full-term neonates. METHODS: Full-term neonates with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were admitted within 24 hours after birth were enrolled in a study group. And control group are infants with premature rupture of amniotic membrane without significant findings. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin were measured at admission. RESULTS: Of the total 80 infants, 54 were of the study group and 26 were of the control group. The numbers of RDS and TTN groups were 27 and 27, and the numbers of RDS with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and RDS without HIE were 6 and 21 retrospectively. Serum AST, ALT, LDH and CK were significantly higher in the study group than the control group (P<0.05). When RDS group and TTN group were compared AST and LDH were significantly higher in RDS group than TTN group (P<0.05). Serum AST, ALT and LDH were significantly higher in RDS with HIE group than RDS without HIE group (P<0.05). A prediction of RDS by LDH analysis showed good correlation by receiver operating characteristic curve (P<0.05). A cut off level of 720 IU/L for LDH was the best predictor of RDS (sensitivity 63% and specificity 86%). CONCLUSION: LDH is an excellent predictor to differentiate RDS from TTN soon after birth in full-term neonates with respiratory distress.
Alanine Transaminase ; Amnion ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Asphyxia ; Biomarkers ; Creatine Kinase ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Myoglobin ; Parturition ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Rupture ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn*

PURPOSE: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), often progresses to respiratory failure and its' serious complication, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a major cause of neonatal mortality. Early recognition of infants at the risk for respiratory failure in MAS patients is necessary for treatment. So we aimed to identify serum enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) as serum biologic marker for early detection of respiratory failure in MAS patients. METHODS: Infants admitted within 24 hours after birth to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital and diagnosed with MAS from August 2005 to March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Serum enzymes were measured on admission. RESULTS: Of the total 60 patients diagnosed with MAS, 28 were in the positive pressure ventilation (PPV) group and 32 were in the non-PPV group. Six patients progressed to PPHN. Only serum LDH was significantly higher in the PPV group than the non-PPV group (median 1,123 vs. 831, P =0.01). Using the ROC curves, the cut-off value of 964 U/L for LDH offered the best predictive value for PPV requirement (sensitivity 61% and specificity 81%). Serum LDH was significantly higher in MAS with PPHN group than MAS without PPHN group (median 1,791 vs. 904, P =0.013). But serum AST, ALT were not predicting factor for the requirement of respiratory support and development of PPHN among MAS patients. CONCLUSION: LDH might be a good predicting factor for the requirement of respiratory support and development of PPHN among MAS patients.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biomarkers ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Meconium* ; Parturition ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Numerous investigations have been conducted in order to determine the potential carcinogenic or chemopreventive activity of capsaicin. The aim of this study is to characterize the effects of capsaicin on colon cancer cells, and provide valuable information concerning the application of capsaicin in chemoprevention as well as for therapeutic purposes. METHODS: CoLo320DM and LoVo cells (human colon cancer cell line) were treated with capsaicin. In order to access cell viability and altered morphology, an MTT assay was performed and the cells were microscopically examined. Decreasing DNA staining was accessed by FACS. The cells were stained with FITC labeled annexin V and analyzed by FACS to detect cellular membrane alteration during apoptosis. The cells were stained with DiOC6(3) and Hydroethidine and analyzed by FACS in order to access ROS and dleta psi m. RESULTS: Capsaicin decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Capsaicin produced a cell morphology corresponding to the apoptotic features including cell shrinkage and chromatic condensation. Capsaicin treated cells induced a loss of nuclear DNA leading to hypoploidy in a dose-dependent manner. Cells were excluded by double staining with PI and FITC labeled annexin v and detected by FACS. We show that treatment of CoLo320DM, L0Vo cells with increasing concentrations of capsaicin parallel an increase in the percentage of red fluorescent cells (HE-->Eth) that reflect ROS hypergeneration and a decrease in the percentage of green fluorescent cells that reflect delta psi m disruption. CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrate that capsaicin-induced colon cancer cell death is apoptotic.
Annexin A5 ; Apoptosis* ; Capsaicin ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; Cell Survival ; Chemoprevention ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; DNA ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Humans* ; Membranes

In patients with primary aldosteronism who have bilateral adrenal incidentalomas, it is important to identify which adrenal gland is secreting excess aldosterone. Traditionally, adrenal vein sampling (AVS) has been performed for lateralization despite its invasiveness. Here we report a case of bilateral adrenal incidentaloma in which 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) was used to identify the functional adrenal mass. A 53-yr-old man was referred to our clinic due to bilateral adrenal incidentalomas (right: 1 cm, left: 2.5 cm) on computed tomography (CT). Given his history of colon cancer, FDG-PET/CT scanning was used to rule out metastasis. Although there was focal hot uptake lesion in the right adrenal gland, the patient was suspected primary aldosteronism clinically more than metastasis because of the patient's underlying hypertension with hypokalemia. It was consistent with the results of AVS. Based on these findings, we propose that FDG-PET/CT can be used instead of AVS to identify the source of primary aldosteronism between two bilateral adrenal incidentalomas.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radionuclide imaging ; Adrenal Glands/pathology/surgery ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/*diagnosis/pathology ; Hypertension/diagnosis ; Hypokalemia/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography

A 47-year-old male with recurrent abnormal behavior for ten years was referred to our clinic. He was diagnosed with insulinoma and cognitive dysfunction. Persistent hypoglycemia leads to a high risk of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic patients. However, cognitive dysfunction associated with insulinoma is rare. In this case study, cognitive dysfunction was confirmed by neurological testing.
Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulinoma ; Male

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization