There have been reports in Korea of imported malaria cases of four Plasmodium species, but there has been no report of imported Plasmodium ovale malaria confirmed by molecular biological methods. We report an imported case of that was confirmed by Wright-Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear and nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. The amplified DNA was sequenced and compared with other registered P. ovale isolates. The isolate in this study was a member of the classic type group. The patient was a 44-yr-old male who had worked as a woodcutter in Cote d'Ivoire in tropical West Africa. He was treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine and discharged following improvement. In conclusion, P. ovale should be considered as an etiology in the imported malaria in Korea, because the number of travelers to P. ovale endemic regions has recently increased.
Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Plasmodium ovale/*genetics ; Male ; Malaria/*diagnosis/etiology ; Humans ; Genes, rRNA ; Adult

Microsatellite mutator phenotype (MMP) tumors were reported in a subset of gastrointestinal carcinomas. The molecular pathogenesis of MMP tumors shows defects in the DNA mismatch repair genes, and also many germline and somatic mutations were reported in the MMP tumors. However, the detection of genetic defects in the MMP tumors is very difficult, mainly because many genes are included in the DNA mismatch repair genes. This study was undertaken to determine the best strategy for detecting defects in the DNA mismatch repair genes in gastrointestinal carcinomas. One of the effective ways for detecting defects in DNA mismatch repair genes is to screen the MMP tumors and evaluate the products of DNA mismatch repair genes by performing the multiplex RT-PCR method. We have screened the MMP tumors by using 5 microsatellite markers in the 12 cancer cell lines, 120 colon carcinomas and 99 gastric carcinomas and found 6 MMP cell lines, 10 MMP colon cancers, and 9 MMP gastric carcinomas. In addition, we evaluated 6 DNA mismatch repair gene products (hMSH2, hMSH3, hMSH6, hMLH1, hPMS1 and hPMS2) by multiplex RT-PCR analysis and found decreased expression of the DNA mismatch repair genes in 5 (hMSH6 in DLD-1 and HCT-15; hMSH2 in LoVo; hMLH1 and hMSH3 in HCT-116; hMLH1 in SNU-638) out of 6 MMP cell lines. We also found a decreased expression of hMLH1 in 3 out of 10 MMP colon carcinomas, and in 6 out of 9 MMP gastric carcinomas. Our results indicate that the expression analysis of the DNA mismatch repair genes by multiplex RT-PCR method can reduce the number of genes subjected to mutational analysis and is convenient for screening the responsible DNA mismatch repair genes.
Cell Line ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; DNA Mismatch Repair* ; DNA* ; Mass Screening ; Microsatellite Repeats* ; Phenotype*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of perineal descent (PD) in pelvic outlet obstruction patients diagnosed by using defecography. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients with pelvic outlet obstruction (POO; median age 49 years) had more than one biofeedback session after defecography. Demographic finding, clinical bowel symptoms and anorectal physiological studies were compared for PD at rest and PD with dynamic changes. RESULTS: Age (r = 0.33; P < 0.001), rectocele diameter (r = 0.31; P < 0.01), symptoms of incontinence (P < 0.05) and number of vaginal deliveries (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) were correlated with increased fixed PD. However, the female gender (P < 0.005), rectal intussusceptions (P < 0.05), negative non-relaxing puborectalis syndrome (P < 0.00005) and rectocele (P < 0.0005) were correlated with increased dynamic PD. Duration of symptoms, number of bowel movements, history of pelvic surgery and difficult defecation were not related with PD. There was no significant correlation between fixed and dynamic PD and success of biofeedback therapy. CONCLUSION: Age, vaginal delivery and diameter of the rectocele are associated with increased fixed PD. Female gender, rectal intussusceptions and a rectocele are correlated with increased dynamic PD. Biofeedback is an effective option for POO regardless of severity of PD.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Rectocele

PURPOSE: The appendectomy is the most common emergent surgical procedure in elderly patients. The increasing number of elderly persons has been accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of acute appendicitis in the elderly. In order to understand the clinical significance of a laparoscopic appendectomy for elderly patients with appendicitis, we investigated the results of a laparoscopic appendectomy for treating patients over 60 years of age with appendicitis and compared them with the results for an open technique. METHODS: We studied retrospectively patients over 60 years of age who underwent an appendectomy with either a laparoscopic (LA) or open (OA) technique for appendicitis between July 2007 and December 2009. There were 30 patients in the LA group and 47 patients in the OA group. The demographic data, operative time, length of the hospital stay, bowel movement, pain control, cost, complications and pre-existing disease were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the LA and the OA groups with respect to pre-existing diseases, gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and the number of cases of complicated appendicitis, operative time, length of hospital stay, and times of analgesics use. However, the proportion of early gas out (within POD #2) was significantly greater in the LA group (80% vs. 57%, P < 0.05), and postoperative complications were significantly lower in the LA group (7% vs. 32%, P < 0.01). The costs for the two groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure in elderly patients and is not associated with any increase in morbidity. It can be recommended for routine use in treating elderly patients with appendicitis.
Aged ; Analgesics ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Cost Control ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

To determine the factors which can increase the failure after glaucoma filtering surgery and to evaluate the affect of Mitomycin C(MMC) on filtering surgery. We evaluated 249 eyes who underwent glaucoma filtering surgery consecutively during last 2 years in Catholic University Medical College hospitals. 129 eyes had risk factors and 68 eyes of them were treated with MMC during operation. The success rate of the group with risk factors was significantly lower (P=0.001) than that of the group without risk factors. In the risk group, MMC has increased the sucess rate (P=0.07). Previous cataract surgery, neovascularization of iris (NVI) , re-trabeculectomy, young age under 40, uveitis and diabetes were significant risk factors for surgical failure. After adjustment of each factors, previous cataract surgery, NVI, retrabeculectomy and young age still increased the failure rate significantly. Among them we were able to make reduse the effect of re-trabeculectomy and youth by using MMC during surgery. The outcome of glaucoma surgery may increase the success rate in some high risk cases.
Adolescent ; Cataract ; Filtering Surgery* ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Iris ; Mitomycin* ; Risk Factors* ; Uveitis

Hirsutoid papillomas of vulvae present as smooth or filiform papules located on the inner surfaces of the labia minora. This disease is usually considered as anatomical variants of the vestibular mucosa. Differentiation from condyloma acuminata is important to avoid unnecessary treatment. Herein we report a case of hirsutoid papillomas of vulvae in a 21-year-old female who complained of pruritic papules on the vulva of one year's duration. Papules were located on the inner surfaces of the left labia minora and vestible of the vulva. Clinically, they were quite similar to condyloma acuminata. Histologically, however, the epithelium was devoid of features of human papillomavirus(HPV) infections such as koilocytosis, double nucleation, and dyskeratosis.
Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Papilloma* ; Vulva* ; Young Adult

Factitious fever has been a rare cause of fever of unknown origin. We herein report a case of a young soldier, who presented with persistent fever of unusual pattern and bullae on both palms. After numerous investigations had excluded organic diseases, factitious fever was diagnosed with measurement of the freshly voided urine temperatures and body temperatures while directly observed. Biopsy of skin lesions revealed friction blister. Early recognition of this cause of fever is needed to avoid the unnecessary investigation and prolonged hospitalization.
Biopsy ; Blister ; Body Temperature ; Factitious Disorders ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; Fever* ; Friction ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; Skin

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for tooth loss over three years, according to the number of pre-existing teeth, in middle and old aged people in a rural area. METHODS: This was a 3-year follow-up study including participants from KoGES-ARIRANG. Eight-hundred and fifty-five participants took part in both initial and follow-up oral examinations and surveys, conducted between 2010 and 2016. The number of existing teeth was determined through oral examination, and the subjects' sociodemographic characteristics, subjective periodontal statuses, and oral health behaviors were identified through oral questionnaires via 1:1 interviews. Chi-square analysis was used to compare tooth loss in participants with less than 20 pre-existing teeth to tooth loss in those with 20 or more pre-existing teeth. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for tooth loss. RESULTS: Four-hundred and thirty-nine (51.4%) subjects lost more than one tooth over three years. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, subjective periodontal statuses, and oral health behaviors in subjects with 20 or more pre-existing teeth, the odds for tooth loss were as follows: 2.11 (1.42-3.14) times higher in people aged over 65 years compared to less than 65 years, 1.59 (1.06-2.38) times higher in those with a low (below elementary school) compared to high educational level, and 2.01 (1.33-3.02) times higher in those with a severe compared to normal subjective periodontal status. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of tooth loss was different in subjects with less than 20 pre-existing teeth compared to those with 20 or more pre-existing teeth. Therefore, the approach to prevent tooth loss should be different depending on the number of teeth present.
Cohort Studies* ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Follow-Up Studies ; Logistic Models ; Oral Health ; Risk Factors* ; Tooth Loss* ; Tooth*

This study is to develop a new scoring system for rating Hazard analysis and critical control points prerequisite evaluation items for meat shops to provide a more objective and accurate evaluation of food safety compliance. The importance of each item was measured by looking at the hazard severity level and the rate of non-compliance associated with it. It was found that the new scoring system is more stringent and gives a clearer picture of compliance with the most critical safety standards, and therefore is expected to have a positive effect on the hygiene and safety of livestock products.

The levels of aflatoxin (AFT) and ochratoxin (OCT) were assessed at different seasons in raw materials, different feed manufacture processing stages, and animal feeds in feed mills in Korea implementing the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system. Two hundred samples were collected in all four seasons from five feed mills implementing the HACCP system and examined for AFT and OCT contents. The AFT and OCT levels were analysed by using HPLC method to provide information on raw material and product stage. The AFT content of raw ingredients in the spring season was highest in corn gluten (3.84 ppb) and lowest in corn (1.82 ppb) The AFT content of corn was highest in the winter season (2.17 ppb). The content of OCT in wheat was highest in the winter season. The amounts of AFT and OCT at processing stages were higher than in the raw materials or feed. In particular, AFT content was higher in the transfer stage (3.88 ppb) than in the mixing (2.86 ppb) or filling stages (3.45 ppb) in the summer season. The means of AFT and OCT level in laying hen feed was 3.41 ppb and 1.14 ppb for broiler feed, respectively. The means of AFT and OCT level in and broiler feeds was 3.44 ppb and 1.17 ppb for broiler feed, respectively.