Many pathological surveys of brain tissue in patients with intractable epilepsy have been reported. There have been, however, few studies focused on the differences between childhood and adults in pathological alterations of brain. We retrospectively analyzed histopathology of 164 lobectomy specimens for intractable epilepsy in view of the differences between children and adults. Among 164 cases, 28 cases were children (less than 15 years) and 136 cases adults. We compared frequency of histopathologic features, distribution of involved cortex (temporal or extratemporal lobe), previous injury histories, such as brain trauma, encephalitis or febrile seizure, and coexistence of other lesions (dual pathology) between two groups. Pathologic alterations were encountered in 92% of 164 patients. In children focal cortical dysplasia (n=16, 57.1%), neoplasm (n=8, 28.6%), hippocampal sclerosis (n=6, 21.4%), cortical tuber (n=1, 3.6%), leukomalacia (n=1, 3.6%), and Rasmussen's encephalitis (n=1, 3.6%) were observed, whereas focal cortical dysplasia (n=81, 59.6%), hippocampal sclerosis (n=80, 58.8%), neoplasm (n=19, 14%), and cerebral cysticercosis (n=3, 2.2%) were found in adults. Pediatric patients had a higher proportion of severe focal cortical dysplasia (17.9% in children, 0.7% in adults). Neoplasia and extratemporal lobe involvement were more commonly found in children (28.6%, 50%) than in adults (14.0%, 24.3%), whereas hippocampal sclerosis and dual pathology were more common in adults (58.8%, 44.9%) than in children (21.4%, 17.9%). Previous injury history was statistically significant in patients with hippocampal sclerosis, and lent support to the hypothesis that hippocampal sclerosis is related with acquired lesions. Incidence of focal cortical dysplasia was nearly similar in both adult (59.6%) and pediatric groups (57.1%), and supported the hypothesis that focal cortical dysplasia is developmental abnormality occurring during a prenatal period.
Adult* ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Child* ; Cysticercosis ; Encephalitis ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Humans ; Incidence ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile

BACKGROUND: Chicken pox and herpes zoster are caused by the varicella-zoster virus(VZV). To investigate the epiderniologial relationship between clinical isolates of VZV, it is essential to distinguish different isolate. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to classify the VZV strains according to R5 tandem direct reiterations(TDR) copy numbers and Pst I endonuclease cleavage site mutation, and to analyze the distribution pattern of VZV strains isolated in Korea. METHODS: Strains of VZV were isolated from 61 patients with herpes zoster who had not been immunized with a live vaccine of VZV. Copy numbers of R5 TDR which was located in variable region IV were measured by PCR. The presence of a Pst I cleavage site in a middle portion of the long unique region of VZV genome was analyzed by PCR thereafter restriction enzyme digestion(PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: VZV strains isolated in Korea contained one to three copy numbers of R5 TDR. Of 61 isolates, 43(70%) comtained 2 copies of R5 TDR, while 11(18%) isolates contained only one copy and 7(12%) isolat s contained 3 copies. About 16% of the strains examined did not have a PstI cleavage site, although the majority of strains retained this site. VZV strains could be classified into 6 strains on the basis of the copy number of R5 TDR and PstI cleavage site, in which the strain with 2 copies of R5 TDR and PstI cleavage site positive was the most frequent type (36 out of 61 isolates) in Korea. Four batches of live attenuated vaccine(Biken) that is now used in Korea showed 2 copy numbers of R5 TDR and PstI site negative. CONCLUSION: The copy number of R5 TDR and the presence of PstI cleavage site seems to be a reliable marker for dicrimination of VZV strains in Korea. This discrimination can be used to study the molecular epiclemiology of VZV and as a criterion for identification of vaccine-related isolates.
Chickenpox* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Genome ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid*

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Pyroglyphidae

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD) is characterized clinically by rapidly progressive dementia with pyramidal, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar symptoms and signs, and histologically by spongiform change, neuronal loss and reactive gliosis. We have experienced 2 cases of CJD. Case 1 was a 36-year-old male who had suffered from myoclonus and cerebellar symptoms including sluggish speech, gait and balance disturbance. Case 2 was a 70-year-old female who had showed cognitive dysfunction, ataxic gait and disturbance of extraocular movement. Both patients, underwent brain biopsy. Case 1 revealed marked cortical atrophy, 2mm in thickness, with neuronal loss and astrocytic proliferation extending into white matter. The spongiform change, made up of many small, usually rounded or oval, vacuoles was noted mainly in the neuropil. Case 2 revealed remarkable spongiform change throughout the cortex and cytoplasmic vacuoles compressing the nuclei of neuronal cells were numerous. Neuronal loss and gliosis were also found without considerable change in the white matter. On double immunostaining against GFAP and PrP(Prion Protein), there was a weak positive reaction for PrP in the perinuclear cytoplasm in case 1, and a strongly positive reaction in case 2. The electron microscopic examination showed numerous membrane-bound vacuoles in neuropil and perikarya of neurons. The majority of the vacuoles were multiseptated by thin membranous structures. They demonstrated curled, or disrupted membrane, that had foldings and protrusions into the vacuolar clear spaces. There were neither identifiable virus-like particles nor amyloid deposition.
Female ; Male ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is administered for a few days after lung transplantation (LTx) in recipients who are expected to have early graft dysfunction. Despite its life-saving potential, immediate postoperative ECMO has life-threatening complications such as postoperative bleeding. We investigated the risk factors related to the use of immediate postoperative ECMO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 LTx patients who were at our institution from October 2012 to May 2015. Perioperative variables associated with postoperative ECMO were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 26 patients who received postoperative ECMO (ECMO group) and 34 patients who did not (control group). Multivariate regression analysis revealed preoperative ECMO (odds ratio [OR] 12.55, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.34 - 117.24, p = 0.027) and lower peripheral pulse oxymetry saturation (SpO2) at the end of surgery (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54 - 0.95, p = 0.019) were independent risk factors for postoperative ECMO in LTx patients. The incidences of complications, such as re-operation, tracheostomy, renal failure and postoperative atrial fibrillation, were higher in the ECMO group. There was no difference in the duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay or postoperative 30-day mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative ECMO and lower SpO2 at the end of surgery were associated with postoperative ECMO. Further, postoperative adverse events were higher in the ECMO group compared with the control group. This study suggests that determination of postoperative ECMO requires careful consideration because of the risks of postoperative ECMO in LTx patients.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung Transplantation ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Tracheostomy ; Transplants ; Weaning

PURPOSE: The mechanism of hypoxic damage is mainly intracellular influx of calcium ions through the glutamate ionotropic receptor(NMDA, AMPA/kainate). This study was performed to determine alterations in distribution and expression of AMPA receptor subunits after 1-hour of moderate hypoxia in the newborn piglet brain, in a state of mild to moderate perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. METHODS: Ten newborn piglets were mechanically ventilated with a mixture of 21% oxygen and 79% nitrous oxide at PaO2 over 80mmHg for 30min. Thereafter, control group(n=5) was ventilated with 21% oxygen for 1-hour, and hypoxic group(n=5) was ventilated with 6% oxygen at PaO2 below 25mmHg for 1-hour. Concentrations of protein, adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and phosphocreatine were determined. The proteins were immunostained with anti-rat glutamate receptor 1(GluR1), anti-rat GluR2/3 and anti-rat GluR4 antibody. RESULTS: Hypoxia(PaO2 20+/-1mmHg) and acidosis(pH 7.06+/-0.09) developed significantly in the hypoxic group compared to the control group(PaO2 104+/-4mmHg, pH 7.44+/-0.03, respectively, P<0.01). Concentrations of ATP(2.84+/-1.28micromol/kg brain, P<0.05) and phosphocreatine(0.78+/-1.07micromol/kg brain, P<0.001) were significantly reduced compared to the control group(5.04+/-0.25micromol/kg brain, 4.03+/-0.31micromol/kg brain, respectively). The protein contents of GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits were ordered; hippocampus > cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, hypothalamus > white matter, cerebellum, and the protein contents of GluR4 subunits were observed in the cerebellum only. The distribution of GluR1, GluR2/3, and GluR4 subunits between the hypoxic group and control group were similar. CONCLUSION: GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits were highly distributed in the hippocampus and cere bral cortex, and GluR4 subunits in the cerebellum. These regions may be the most vulnerable to excitotoxic injury. In addition, AMPA receptor subunits did not change after 1-hour of moderate hypoxia.
Adenosine ; Anoxia ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain* ; Calcium ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Glutamic Acid ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypothalamus ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Infant, Newborn* ; Ions ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Phosphocreatine ; Receptors, AMPA ; Receptors, Glutamate ; Thalamus

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a secondary stroke prevention education program on the health risk indicators and self-care compliance of stroke patients. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used to select the participants. Subjects were 54 stroke patients (27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group) hospitalized in a K university hospital in D city, Korea. Health risk indicators and self-care compliance were measured both for a baseline, as well as after intervention. The data was analyzed using a chi-square test, paired t-test and ANCOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, weight and self-care compliance. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that an educational secondary stroke prevention program is effective for health risk indicators and self-care compliance of patients. Therefore it can be used as an effective nursing intervention in clinical practice.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Compliance* ; Education ; Fasting ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Secondary Prevention ; Self Care* ; Stroke*

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the pediatric sedation knowledge and performance of nurses in tertiary hospitals. Methods: Altogether 120 nurses working in the Pediatric Departments of 4 tertiary hospitals in Busan and Kyungnam participated in this descriptive survey. The questionnaire was developed based on domestic and international guidelines and consisted of 40 questions including 18 questions on knowledge and 22 on the performance level of sedation nursing. Results: The mean score regarding the knowledge of pediatric sedation care was 3.14 points and the mean performance level score was 3.44 points. Questions that received low scores in terms of pediatric sedation care knowledge included items regarding the latest policies, level of sedation, and fasting before sedation. Questions that received low scores in the performance level included items regarding psychological preparation before sedation, sedation education considering developmental level and disease, and items related to blood pressure measurement. Pediatric sedation knowledge scores were higher in the groups with higher age, longer clinical experience, higher educational experience, and awareness of sedation guidelines. Performance scores were significantly higher in the groups having educational experience in pediatric sedation and in those exhibiting awareness of sedation guidelines. Conclusion Sedation education was significantly associated with both knowledge and performance of sedation nursing, conducting educational programs on pediatric sedation nursing.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine effects of parents' rearing attitudes perceived by bullied children. The focus in this study was on mediating effects of ego-resilience. METHODS: Data were collected from 202 bullied elementary school students in grade years 5 and 6. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and structural analysis with the SPSS/WIN 19.0 program and Amos 19.0. RESULTS: First, significant positive relations between parents' rearing attitudes and ego-resilience, significant negative relations between ego-resilience and bullying, and between parents' rearing attitude and bullying were found. Second, the effects of ego-resilience as a mediator between perceived parents' rearing attitudes and bullying were significant statistically. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that educational programs for parents are needed to improve parents' perception of the importance of their rearing attitudes toward bullying and nursing intervention programs for bullied children should be developed to increase their ego-resilience.
Bullying ; Child ; Child Rearing ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Parents

BACKGROUND: Glutaraldehyde is used most commonly as a high-level disinfectant for semicritical patient-care equipments. However, its potential toxicity to healthcare workers and a long exposure time needed to kill mycobacteria can be problematic. Recently, Perasafe(R) (Antec International, UK) has been introduced in the market as a safe and very effective disinfectant. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of Perasafe(R) against not only bacteria and yeast but also mycobacteria and bacterial spores and compare it with glutaraldehyde. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Bacillus subtilis were used for the test. Perasafe(R) and Cidex(R) were used at the final concentration of 1.62% and 2.25%, respectively; the disinfectants were neutralized by Tween 80 (0.5%) in the mycobacterial test and by lecithin (0.75%) in all other tests. Bacterial suspensions were made in phosphate buffer with or without fetal bovine serum (1%) to simulate dirty or clean conditions, respectively. The disinfectants were tested at 0, 24 and 48 hr of preparation to check stability. An effective disinfectant activity was defined as a 5 log10 reduction in viable counts. RESULTS: E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and C albicans were effectively disinfected in less than 5 min by both Perasafe(R) and Cidex(R) and the both disinfectants remained equally effective under the dirty conditions or at 48 hr of preparation. Perasafe(R) was effective in 1 min against B. subtilis spores compared to Cidex(R) which took 30 min for the same activity. M. tuberculosis was effectively disinfected in 10 min by Perasafe(R) and 20 min by Cidex(R). CONCLUSIONS: Perasafe(R) showed greater tuberculocidal and sporicidal activities than Cidex(R), although both disinfectants were equally effective against common bacterial and yeast pathogens. Perasafe(R) may be an outstanding high-level disinfectant for endoscopes and other semicritical medical equipment.
Bacillus subtilis ; Bacteria* ; Candida albicans ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disinfectants ; Endoscopes ; Escherichia coli ; Glutaral ; Lecithins ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Polysorbates ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Spores ; Spores, Bacterial* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Suspensions ; Tuberculosis ; Yeasts*