We reports a woman's death caused by massive intraabdominal hemorrhage, who was in chronic alcoholic state with advanced liver cirrhosis and found dead in her room. No macroscopic source for the bleeding was found in her intraabdomen and there was no circumstances of traumatic forces to the individual's body around the death. The presenting unsuspected death could be consistent with the forensic pathological cases described as sudden, unexpected death due to massive nontraumatic intraabdominal hemorrhage in association with liver cirrhosis by DiMaio in 1987.
Alcoholics ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver*

Background: Cudrania tricuspidata is a perennial plant, and Sargassum fusiforme is a brown seaweed with numerous potential benefits, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, the efficacies of C. tricuspidata and S. fusiforme on hair growth have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of C. tricuspidata and S. fusiforme extracts on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. Results: ImageJ demonstrated that drinking and skin application of C. tricuspidata and/or S. fusiforme extracts significantly increased the hair growth rate in the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice compared to the control group. Histological analysis confirmed that drinking and skin application of C. tricuspidata and/or S. fusiforme extracts for 21 days significantly increased the length of hair follicles on the dorsal skin of treated C57BL/6 mice compared to that in the control mice. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that hair growth cycle-related factors (anagen factors) such as Catenin Beta 1 (Ctnnb1) and platelet-derived growth factor (Pdgf) were upregulated (> twofold) only by C. tricuspidata extracts, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) and Wnts were upregulated by both C. tricuspidata or S. fusiforme applications in treated mice (compared to the control mice). In addition, oncostatin M (Osm, a catagen-telogen factor) was downregulated (< 0.5 fold) by C. tricuspidata when administered via both skin and drinking mode in treated mice compared to that in control mice. Conclusions Our results suggest that C. tricuspidata and/or S. fusiforme extracts show potential hair growth efficacy by upregulating anagen factor genes, including β-catenin, Pdgf, Vegf, and Wnts, and downregulating catagen-telogen factor genes, including Osm, in C57BL/6 mice. The findings suggest that C. tricuspidata and/or S. fusiforme extracts are potential drug candidates to treat alopecia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequencies of CD4+CD25+ T cells in donor graft and peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ T cells in recipients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and their association with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: Seventeen children who underwent HSCT were investigated. CD4+CD25+ T cells in samples from donor grafts and recipient peripheral blood were assessed by flow cytometry at 1 and 3 months after transplantation. RESULTS: CD4+CD25+ T cell frequencies in the grafts showed no significant difference between patients with and without acute GVHD (0.90% vs. 1.06%, P=0.62). Absolute CD4+CD25+ T cell number in grafts were lower in patients with acute GVHD than in those without acute GVHD (6.18x10(5)/kg vs. 25.85x10(5)/kg, P=0.09). Patients without acute GVHD showed a significant decrease in peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ T cell percentage at 3 months compared to those at 1 month after HSCT (2.11% vs. 1.43%, P=0.028). However, in patients with acute GVHD, CD4+CD25+ T cell percentage at 3 months was not different from the corresponding percentage at 1 month after HSCT (2.47% vs. 2.30%, P=0.5). CONCLUSION: The effect of frequencies of CD4+CD25+ T cells in donor grafts on acute GVHD after HSCT could not be identified, and the majority of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients who underwent HSCT may be activated T cells related to acute GVHD rather than regulatory T cells. Further studies with additional markers for regulatory T cells are needed to validate our results.
Cell Count ; Child ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of the placement and retrieval of a Gunther Tulip filter for the prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism during the management of patients with a free floating thrombus in their inferior vena cava (IVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients having a free floating thrombus in their IVC (three patients with an isolated free floating thrombus in the IVC that resulted from immobilization due to traumatic liver injury or cerebral infarction, two patients with coexisting deep vein thrombosis in the left lower extremity that was caused by May-Thurner syndrome, and one patient with coexisting deep vein thrombosis in the right lower extremity that was due to nephrotic syndrome and immobilization after hip joint replacement) underwent placement and retrieval of a Gunther Tulip filter. The placement of the filter was performed through the right internal jugular vein to prevent the risk of detachment of the thrombus during the procedure. Retrieval of filter was performed after the free floating thrombus of the IVC had disappeared on follow-up CT because of anticoagulation therapy, aspiration thrombectomy or catheter directed Urokinase thrombolysis. RESULTS: The Gunther Tulip filter was successfully placed in the IVC in all six patients and it was retrieved after the management of the free floating thrombus. The mean duration of the placement of the filter was 11 days (range: 7-25 days). Two patients underwent placement of an iliac vein stent for the management of May-Thurner syndrome. Detachment of the free floating thrombus in the IVC and the subsequent thrombus entrapment in the filter were documented during aspiration thrombectomy or Urokinase thrombolysis in four patients. Recurrent thrombus didn't occur during the follow-up period (range: 3-20 months) in five of the six patients. In one patient, a recurrent thrombus due to the discontinuance of anticoagulation therapy was identified at the filter detachment site of the IVC on the follow-up CT 10 days after the filter retrieval, but it disappeared 15 days after proper anticoagulation therapy was done. CONCLUSION: Temporary Gunther Tulip filter placement is technically feasible and efficacious for the prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism in those patients with a free floating thrombus in the IVC, and particularly in those patients who will have subsequent aspiration thrombectomy or catheter directed Urokinase thrombolyis performed.
Catheters ; Cerebral Infarction ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Iliac Vein ; Immobilization ; Jugular Veins ; Liver ; Lower Extremity ; May-Thurner Syndrome ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Stents ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis* ; Tulipa* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; Vena Cava, Inferior* ; Venous Thrombosis

A 36-year-old male patient with no remarkable medical history was admitted to our hospital for a health check up. On chest radiography, bilateral aortic notches at the level of aortic arch were shown suggesting aortic arch anomaly without any clinical symptoms. Two aortic arches were almost same-in-size on suprasternal view of transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, multidetector computed tomography showed balanced type double aortic arch forming a complete vascular ring which encircled the trachea and esophagus. The trachea was slightly compressed by the vascular ring whereas the esophagus was intact. Nevertheless, the pulmonary function test was normal. The patient was discharged from hospital with instructions for periodic follow-up.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Echocardiography ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax ; Trachea

When the circumstance of a death seems to be related with electric shock, most of the forensic pathologists tend to diagnose the cause of death as electrocution if they see the electric mark(s) with the notincompatible histology, and find no other definite causes of death at autopsy. But admittedly forensic pathologists know that the so-called electric mark(s) and its histology is not pathognomonic to diagnose electrocution, so the diagnosis should be confirmed by the appropriate investigation of the death scene and the electric devices. We present a case of a man who had a likely current mark that could be diagnosed as natural by ruling out the possibility of electrocution with the examination of the electric lamp which had been under the dead body at the scene. This case gives us the importance of appropriate probe about scene evidences supplied by forensic science in diagnosing and ruling out the electrocution.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Diagnosis ; Forensic Sciences ; Shock

BACKGROUND: Recently, many Korean people travel abroad where malaria is prevalent. However, in Korea, relatively little is known about compliance of chemoprophylaxis against malaria. This study was performed to determine the factors influencing compliance of chemoprophylaxis against malaria in Korean travelers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Face to face interview, telephone interview and e-mail correspondence were performed to 241 people who were prescribed with atovaquone-proguanil at the international travelers' clinic of National Medical Center between February 2007 and October 2007. RESULTS: Total of 55 people out of 235 reported one or more events of adverse reactions after chemoprophylaxis (total 76 events). However, in 38 adverse events the link between chemoprophylaxis and adverse events were very weak. Compliance of malaria chemoprophylaxis with atovaquone-proguanil was 53.9% in the study group. The predictive factors for non-compliance were package tour, travel of business affair and young age group. Conclusions: Compliance of malaria chemoprophylaxis in Korea travelers was low compared with Dutch and French studies. More efforts to increase compliance are needed, especially in travelers on package tour, business travel and people under age 40.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Atovaquone ; Carbonates ; Chemoprevention ; Commerce ; Compliance ; Drug Combinations ; Electronic Mail ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Malaria ; Proguanil

BACKGROUND: Recently, many Korean people travel abroad where malaria is prevalent. However, in Korea, relatively little is known about compliance of chemoprophylaxis against malaria. This study was performed to determine the factors influencing compliance of chemoprophylaxis against malaria in Korean travelers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Face to face interview, telephone interview and e-mail correspondence were performed to 241 people who were prescribed with atovaquone-proguanil at the international travelers' clinic of National Medical Center between February 2007 and October 2007. RESULTS: Total of 55 people out of 235 reported one or more events of adverse reactions after chemoprophylaxis (total 76 events). However, in 38 adverse events the link between chemoprophylaxis and adverse events were very weak. Compliance of malaria chemoprophylaxis with atovaquone-proguanil was 53.9% in the study group. The predictive factors for non-compliance were package tour, travel of business affair and young age group. Conclusions: Compliance of malaria chemoprophylaxis in Korea travelers was low compared with Dutch and French studies. More efforts to increase compliance are needed, especially in travelers on package tour, business travel and people under age 40.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Atovaquone ; Carbonates ; Chemoprevention ; Commerce ; Compliance ; Drug Combinations ; Electronic Mail ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Malaria ; Proguanil

PURPOSE: Deficiencies of the abdominal wall can be the a result of infection, surgery, trauma, or primary herniation. For abdominal wall reconstruction, synthetic materials have been shown to provide a better long-term success rate than primary fascial repair. But, synthetic materials cannot elicit angiogenesis or produce growth factor and are therefore plagued by an inability to clear infection. As a result of the inherent drawbacks of synthetic, significant effort has been spent on the identification of new bioprosthetic materials. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic material(PROCEED(R)) and an ADM(SureDerm(TM)) to repair abdominal wall defects in a rabbit models. METHODS: We measured the tensile strength of the SureDerm(TM) and PROCEED(R) by a Tension meter(Instron 4482). 16 Rabbit models were assigned to this study for abdominal wall reconstruction. Abdominal defect of 8 rabbits were reconstructed by PROCEED(R) and the rest were reconstructed by SureDerm(TM). We assessed gross and histologic examinations for the reconstructed abdominal wall. RESULTS: The tensile strenth of SureDerm(TM) and Gore Tex(R) is 14.64+/-0.51 Mpa, 8.54+/-0.45 Mpa. PROCEED(R) was estimated above the limits of measurement. Inflammatory reaction of PROCEED(R) persisted for 32weeks, but SureDerm(TM) decreased after 16weeks. Vascular ingrowth into the SureDerm(TM) was seen after 32 weeks. The basement membrane of SureDerm(TM) changed into a form of pseudoperitoneum. In PROCEED(R), it seemed like pseudoepithelial lining was made from the fibrosis around the mesh. CONCLUSION: In our study, the SureDerm(TM) not only have less inflammatory reaction and presented more angiogenesis than the PROCEED(R), but also have pseudoperitoneum formation. It is expected that SureDerm(TM) is useful for abdominal wall reconstruction. However, a long-term study of its usage consequences are thought to be needed.
Abdominal Wall ; Acellular Dermis ; Basement Membrane ; Fibrosis ; Rabbits ; Tensile Strength

PURPOSE: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) grafted from HLA-matched parents. METHODS: Seven children with acute leukemia (4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 3 acute myeloid leukemia) in first complete remission received allogeneic HSCT from their respective parents at the St. Marys Hospital between April, 1999 and October, 2005. The median age of patients at transplantation was 5 years (range, 1-11 years; 2 male, 5 female) and the median age of donors was 35 years (range, 30-41 years; 5 male, 2 female). We investigated the clinical outcomes such as engraftment, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), transplant-related morbidity and mortality, relapse and survival. RESULTS: Median time from transplantation to last follow-up was 69.5 months (range, 18.8-96.5 months). All patients were successfully engrafted, with a median time of 11 days (range, 10-16 days) and 26 days (range, 13-39 days) for neutrophil and platelet recovery, respectively. Grade II acute GVHD occurred in 3, and grade III acute GVHD in 1 of 7 recipients. Extensive chronic GVHD developed in 2, and limited chronic GVHD in 1 of 7 recipients. Death from transplant-related complications occurred in 1, and relapse occurred in 1 of 7 recipients. Estimated 5-year overall survival was 83+/-15%. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of recipients who underwent HSCT from HLA-matched parents were comparable to those of patients who received HSCT grafted from HLA-matched sibling donors in childhood leukemia. HLA typing of parents, as well as siblings will increase the likelihood of finding an HLA-matched family donor for patients who need HSCT.
Blood Platelets ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Parents ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Siblings ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants