Chusid et al proposed diagnostic criteria of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that remain valid today. These were, (1) a sustained peripheral blood eosinophil count of more than 1500/L present for longer than 6 months ; (2) no evidence of other apparent causes for eosinophilia, and (3) presumptive signs of parenchymal organ involvement. Any organ system may be affected in HES, but the most severe clinicopathological involvements are of the heart and nervous system. Although multiple organ systems may be involved, the most common cause of morbidity and mortality is cardiac involvement with extensive fibrous thickening of the endomyocardium and overlying thrombus. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy, with literature review.
Biopsy ; Edema* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Mortality ; Myocarditis* ; Nervous System ; Thrombosis

Chusid et al proposed diagnostic criteria of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) that remain valid today. These were, (1) a sustained peripheral blood eosinophil count of more than 1500/L present for longer than 6 months ; (2) no evidence of other apparent causes for eosinophilia, and (3) presumptive signs of parenchymal organ involvement. Any organ system may be affected in HES, but the most severe clinicopathological involvements are of the heart and nervous system. Although multiple organ systems may be involved, the most common cause of morbidity and mortality is cardiac involvement with extensive fibrous thickening of the endomyocardium and overlying thrombus. We report a case of acute peri-myocarditis with eosinophilia, which was confirmed as eosinophilic myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy, with literature review.
Biopsy ; Edema* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Mortality ; Myocarditis* ; Nervous System ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the shortening and rotational deformity after closed intramedullary nailing of femur shaft fracture according to Winquist-Hansen classification type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on 98 cases who received cloased intramedullary fixation about their femur shaft fractures between January 2000 and October 2005 with minimum 12 months follow up. The rotational deformity was analysed by Yang's method (45 cases) preoperatively and postoperatively, and the shortening by orthoradiogram (55 cases). Furthermore we analysed other complications, for example nonunion, infection, and metal failure. RESULTS: We found more than 15 degrees anteversion difference of both femurs in 10 cases. Among them, 9 cases were classified to type 3, 4. According to Winquist-Hansen classification, rotational deformity ranged from 3.7° (Type 1) to 8.9° (Type 4). More than 2 cm leg length discrepancy (LLD) was found in 9 cases, all of them were classified as Winquist-Hansen classification type 3, 4. In the type 1, LLD was checked as 3.2 mm and type 4, 14.2 mm. CONCLUSION: To prevent the shortening and rotational deformity after intramedullary fixation of Winquist-Hansen classification type 3, 4 femur shaft fracture, intraoperatively the exact contralateral femoral anteversion and length should be checked.
Classification* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* ; Leg ; Methods

Separation anxiety (SA) is a serious behavioral problem in dogs. In this study, salivary cortisol was studied to determine if the owner's odor or voice could reduce SA in dogs. Twenty-eight dogs with SA were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (with owner's clothes during the separation period; SP) and group 3 (a recording of the owner's voice was played during SP). The dog's saliva was collected after the owner and their dog were in the experimental room for 5 min (PRE). The dog was then separated from the owner for 20 min and saliva collected four times at intervals of 5 min (SP1-4). Finally, the owner was allowed back into the room to calm the dog for 5 min, after which saliva was collected (POST). Evaluation of salivary cortisol concentrations by ELISA revealed that the ratios of SP1 concentration to PRE or POST concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 or 3. Additionally, the concentrations of SP1-PRE and SP1-POST among groups differed significantly. These findings indicate that the owner's odor or voice may be helpful to managing stress in dogs with SA.
Acoustic Stimulation* ; Animals ; Anxiety, Separation* ; Clothing ; Dogs* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hydrocortisone* ; Odors ; Physiology ; Problem Behavior ; Saliva ; Voice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alprazolam on the stress that Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may experience while caught in a live trap by measuring their serum cortisol response. The animals were placed in a live trap with or without being pretreated with oral doses of alprazolam. In both groups, pre-trap blood samples were initially collected without anesthesia before the animals were positioned in the live trap; then post-trap blood samples were collected after the animals had remained in the live trap for 2 h. Changes in cortisol levels were observed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The level of cortisol increased in the control group and decreased in the alprazolam-pretreatment group (p < 0.05). In this study, we demonstrated that alprazolam pretreatment reduced stress during live trap capture.
Alprazolam/*therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents/*therapeutic use ; Anxiety/*drug therapy ; Hydrocorti ; *Raccoon Dogs ; Republic of Korea ; Restraint, Physical/*veterinary

A 4-year-old female Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) was found dead in the Gwangju Uchi Park Zoo. The animal had previously exhibited weakness and lethargy, but no signs of diarrhea. The carcass was emaciated upon presentation. The main gross lesion was characterized by severe serous atrophy of the fat tissues of the coronary and left ventricular grooves, resulting in the transformation of the fat to a gelatinous material. The rumen was fully distended with food, while the abomasum evidenced mucosal corrugation with slight congestion. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of Balantidium coli trophozoites within the lymphatic ducts of the gastric lymph node and the abdominal submucosa. On rare occasions, these organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the gastric lymph nodes and abomasum.
Abomasum/parasitology ; Animals ; Atrophy/pathology/veterinary ; Balantidiasis/diagnosis/*veterinary ; Balantidium/*isolation&purification ; Female ; Heart Diseases/pathology/veterinary ; Lymph Nodes/*parasitology ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/diagnosis/*parasitology ; Stomach/*immunology/parasitology

We analyzed alcoholic extracts of herbs possessing anti-neosporal activity against Neospora (N.) caninum. To identify the chemical components of Sophora (S.) flavescens and Torilis (T.) japonica associated with anti-neosporal activity, specific fractions were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro activity of the fractions against N. caninum was then assessed. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify and quantify specific anti-neosporal molecules in the herbal extracts. Almost all HPLC fractions of S. flavescens and T. japonica had higher levels of anti-neosporal activity compared to the not treated control. Active constituents of the extracts were sophoridane, furosardonin A, and tetraisopropylidene-cyclobutane in S. flavescens; 5,17-beta-dihydroxy-de-A-estra-5,7,9,14-tetraene, furanodiene, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(CAS,1) in T. japonica.
Apiaceae/*chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coccidiostats/*chemistry ; Fruit/chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Neospora/*drug effects/growth & development ; Plant Extracts/*chemistry ; Plant Roots/chemistry ; Sophora/*chemistry

A 7-year-old female Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) at the Seoul Grand Park, Korea, died after displaying depression, anorexia, weight loss and rough skin for several days. At necropsy, a solitary friable round mass, which was approximately 12 x 9 x 5 cm and mottled dark red and yellow, was found bulging from the right hepatic lobe. Microscopically, the nonencapsulated, poorly circumscribed mass was composed of solid sheets of neoplastic hepatocytes. In addition, numerous small tan foci, ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 cm in diameter, were evenly scattered throughout the pancreatic tissue. These foci were found to be nonencapsulated, well-demarcated hyperplastic nodules of the exocrine pancreatic gland. We observed neither intrahepatic nor extrahepatic metastases. Based on the gross and microscopic changes, we diagnosed the animal as having a hepatocellular adenoma accompanied by exocrine pancreatic nodular hyperplasia.
Adenoma, Liver Cell/*pathology/*veterinary ; Animals ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/*veterinary ; *Otters ; Pancreas, Exocrine/pathology

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is the most frequent opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients in Korea. We examined the incidence and risk factors for tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 143 HIV-infected patients between January 1988 and June 1997 at the Seoul National University Hospita The incidence of tuberculosis was determined by the number of new tuberculosis per 100 patients divided by a total duration of follow-up (cases/100 person- years). The incidence of tuberculosis was analyzed with respect to CD4+ lymphocyte count, status of tuberculin skin reaction, and status of delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction. RESULTS: The total duration of follow-up was 229.6 person-years. During follow-up, 22 patients developed tuberculosis [9.6 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI, 6.0 to 14.5)]. The incidence of tuberculosis according to sex and transmission route showed no significant difference. Tuberculosis occurred more frequently in patients with minimum CD4+ T lympho-cyte counts of less than 200 cells/mm3 (14.2 cases/100 person-years) than in those with higher T lymphocyte counts (3.9 cases/100 person-years) [relative risk, 4.02 (95% CI 1.32 to 12.5), P=0.009]. The incidence of tuberculosis was higher among tuberculin- positive patients [17.0 cases/100 person-years (95% CI, 9.0 to 29.0)] than among tuberculin-negative [8.0 cases/100 person-years (95% CI, 3.2 to 16.6)], but the difference was not statistically significant [relative risk, 2.35 (95% CI, 0.88 to 6.26, P=0.078)]. The rate of tuberculosis in patients with negative delayed hypersensitivity test was not significantly different from that in patients with positive results (P=0.510). CONCLUSION: The incidence of tuberculosis was 9.6 cases per 100 person-years. CD4+ lymphocyte count (<200 cells/mm3) was the most useful predictor for the development of tuberculosis in HIV patients in Korea.
Follow-Up Studies ; HIV ; Humans* ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Incidence* ; Korea* ; Lymphocyte Count ; Medical Records ; Opportunistic Infections ; Risk Factors* ; Seoul ; Skin ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis*

PURPOSE: To compare and analyze length change of patella tendon after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture using transtendinous approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two cases were analyzed from December, 1999 to December, 2005. Insall Salvati ratios were estimated. Severity of initial trauma, duration of nail retension, knee function and pain on change of length of patellar tendon was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean duration of nail retention was twenty-two months. The shortening of patella tendon was observed in 25 cases (p<0.001). The effect of AO type and the duration of nail retension on the decrease of Insall Salvati ratio was not significant (p>0.05, p=0.778). Lysholom score decrease to 89.5. There was no significant difference between the shortening of patellar tendon length and knee pain (p=0.058). CONCLUSION: After intramedullary nailing for closed tibia fracture, shortening of patellar tendon length is observed. That is irrelevant to the fracture type and the duration of nail retension. The shortening of patella tendon length may contribute to decreasing of knee function, but it was no significance of knee pain after intramedullary nailing.
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Knee ; Nails ; Patella ; Patellar Ligament ; Retention (Psychology) ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures