BACKGROUND: Anaerobic bacteria constitute a major part of the normal flora of the human skin, mucous membrane and intestinal tract, and can cause various infections. The incidence of anaerobic infections may differ greatly, depending on each country or hospital. METHODS: We evaluated the recent trends of anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical specimens at Severance Hospital from 1986 to 1995. Specimens were cultured using thioglycollate medium and phenylethanol blood agar (PEBA) for 2-3 days under anaerobic condition. Identification of organism was based on conventional or commercial kit systems. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 2,664 isolates of anaerobic bacteria were obtained from 2,251 clinical specimens. The average number of anaerobes per specimen was 1.2. The frequent sources of isolation were specimens from the abdomen, followed by soft tissue, and head and neck. B. fragilis (46.3%) was the most frequently isolated gram-negative bacilli, and P. magnus (37.6%) and C. perfringens (18.8%) were the most frequently isolated gram-positive anaerobes. Abdominal, soft tissue, and head and neck infections were frequent clinical conditions. Among the anaerobe-positive specimens, only 16.8% yielded anaerobe alone while the remaining 83.2% revealed mixed infection with aerobic bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that B. fragilis is the most common species among gram-negative bacilli, and that P. magnus is the most common among gram-positive cocci. As well, the anaerobes are frequently isolated from specimens of the abdomen, head and neck, and soft tissue; and anaerobic infections are commonly mixed with aerobic bacteria.
Abdomen ; Agar ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Bacteria, Anaerobic* ; Bacteroides fragilis ; Coinfection ; Gram-Positive Cocci ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Phenylethyl Alcohol ; Skin

Authors analysed 19 cases with Cavernous Hemangiomas of Skeletal Muscles in Extremities. Those were confirmed clinicopathologically for the period of 2 years from October 1976 to September 1978, and following results were obtained. 1. The age of initial visit varied from 6 months to 42 years of age with the average of 17.7 years. Seventeen patients(89.5%) were under 30 years of age. 2. The age of initial onset of symptoms varied from birth to 36 years of age with the average of 13.1 years. Seventeen patients(89.5%) were under 20 years of age. 3. The duration of disease varied from 6 months to 17 years with the average of 4.6 years. 4. The ratio of male and female was 9:10. 5. Chief complaints were a swelling or mass in 17 cases(89.5%), pain in 13 cases(68.4%), tenderness in 6 cases(31.6%), and impairment of function in 5 cases(26.3%). 6 The size of a mass varied from a nut size to an adult fist one, and its shape appeared oval with the average 8.1 by 4.6 cm in 12 cases, and round with the average 5.5 cm in 7 cases. 7. The site of involvement distributed to lower extremities in 10 cases(52.7%), upper ones in 9 cases(47.4%). Among extremities(thigh, leg, arm and forearm) the most common site was forearm. 8. Considering the number of involed muscles, most frequently they developed in a single muscle with 11 cases(57.9%). 9. By history, The symptoms were initiated or aggravated by trauma in 3 cases(15.8%). 10. Plain roentgenograms showed the swelling of soft tissue in 9 cases(47.4%) and phleboliths in 8 cases(42.1%). 11. Considering the methods of treatment, complete resection was possible in 17 cases(85.7%), in the remaining 2 cases only incomplete resection could be done.
Adult ; Arm ; Clinical Study ; Extremities ; Female ; Forearm ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Humans ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Nuts ; Parturition

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Cyclosporine* ; Humans ; Nephrosis, Lipoid*

Renal blood flow was measured by single injection technique of HippuranI13 in 13 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and 11 control subjects. There was a significant decrease in renal blood flow in chronic glomerulonephritis particulary in those with elevated blood urea nitrogen. Renal blood flow was inversely proportionate to renal vascular resistance but no correlation was noted between renal blood flow and creatinine clearance.
Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Humans ; Renal Circulation* ; Vascular Resistance

BACKGROUND: Oxygen free radicals have been implicated as a cause of deleterious effects in the setting of coronary reperfusion, and they are believed to be generated by the xanthine oxidase system, from activated neutrophiles and from mitochondria. We evaluate the contribution of mitochondria to the production of oxygen free radicals and clarify the mechanism of cellular damage in ischemic reperfused hearts. METHODS: Mitochondria isolated from the ischemic rabbit hearts were incubated in the reaction conditions with different oxygen tensions. Generation of superoxide anion and activities of defensive enzymes aginst oxidative stress were mesured. RESULTS: Superoxide anion genertion by mitochondria incubated in 21% oxygen condition were 0.54+/-0.09 and 0.27+/-0.04(O2./min/mg protein) in ischemic mitochondria and in control respectively(P<0.05). Activites of defensive enzymes against oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, were significantly reduced in mitochondria isolated from either ischemic or reperfused hearts. With the lapse of respiration in 21% oxygen condition, ADP-stimulated state 3 oxygen consumption(306.4+/-31.5 vs 214.4+/-11.4n atoms O/min/mg protein) at 30 minutes, P : O ratio and phosphorylation rate were significantly decreased in ischemic mitochondria. CONCLUSION: Elevation of oxygen free radical generation as well as the reduction of defensive enzyme activities in ischemic reperfused mitochondria are injurious to mitochondrial respiratory function. It may contribute to the mechanism of cellular damage in ischemic reperfused hearts.
Free Radicals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Heart* ; Mitochondria* ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Neutrophils ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Phosphorylation ; Respiration ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides* ; Xanthine Oxidase

No abstract available.
Scoliosis*

This is a retrospective clinical and roentgenographic study to measure the correction of deformity and rigidity of Harrington SSI in the stabilization of unstable thoracic and lumbar spine fractures. 35 patients with unstable thoracic and lumbar spine fracture were treated with Harrington SSI from Feb. 1985 to Mar. 1987 in SNUH and 29 patients were followed up for more than 1 year, average 15.6 months. At final follow up of these 29 patients, 73.1% of patients gained neurologic improvement. Measurement of correction of anterior, middle and posterior column height, local kyphosis and anteroposterior offset were 29.7%, 5.2%, 31.2%, 12.8°and 5.3mm and loss of correction of these were 6.5%, 0.1%, 5.8%, 3.1°and 1.1 mm.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

No abstract available.

The exact pathophysiologic mechanisms of spasmodic torticollis and other idiopathic torsion dystonias remain largely unknown. Thus, a variety of drugs have been used alone or in combination on an empirical basis to treat these disorders, but to date none have efficacy that is proven and consistent. The drugs in use include anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, dopaminergics and dopamine antagonists with variable degrees of clinical improvement. Botulinum toxin A injection treatment for spasmodic torticollis is safe and efficacious with minimal adverse effect. However, it is expensive and beneficial effects are short-lasting. Only when a spasmodic torticollis patient's symptoms are refractory to combined treatment, using various drugs and Botulinum toxin injections, should the patient be considered a candidate for neurosurgical procedures.
Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use ; Botulinum Toxins/*therapeutic use ; Dopamine Agents/therapeutic use ; Dopamine Antagonists ; Human ; Parasympatholytics/therapeutic use ; Spasm/*drug therapy ; Torticollis/*drug therapy

Melanoacanthoma is an extremely rare pigmented benign mixed epithelial tumor of both melanocytes and keratinocytes. A 52-year-old female presented an asymptomatic, slightly elevated, 1. 2 cm x 0. 8 cm, dark black-colored plaque on her right buttock of 2 years' duration. Histopathologic finding of the plaque shows hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, follicular plugging, acanthosih, papillomatosis and pseudo-horn cyst in the epidermis. The tumor is composed of basaloid and squarnous cells with many foci of clusters and whorls of melanin pigment-laden cells. Electron microscopic finding reveals many scattered melanocytes in the entire epidermis. Melanin granules are found mostly in the melanocytes but can also be found in a few keratinocytes.
Buttocks ; Epidermis ; Female ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma ; Parakeratosis