No abstract available.

Local steroid injection is applied for the various problems in orthopaedic fields. Its not well known whether local steroid injection can induce or aggrevate the tuberculous lesion of the injection site. Tuberculous lesion of the shoulder and posterior compartment of the lumbar spine is rare, but rather commonly noted in the steroid injection group. Fifteen patients of tuberculous lesion(8 in shoulder and 7 in posterior compartment of the lumbar spine) after local steroid injection were treated surgically at the Department of the Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, from Jan. 1980 to Agu. 1986, and following results were obtained; 1. The highest incidence was in the 6th decade and male to female ratio was 2: 13. 2. The average number of the injection was 16 times and the average duration was 6 months. 3. The duration from the last steroid injection to the first sign of the tuberculous lesion was from 2 weeks to 3 months and average 2.4 months. 4. Of the 15 cases, active tuberculous lesion at other sites were associated in 6 patients. 5. All cases were treated by complete curettage. It took 5.2 months for the primary wound healing. 6. Local steroid injection could induce or aggrevate the local tuberculous lesion. Radical extirpation of the lesion is the treatment of choice, but with high recurrence rate.
Curettage ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Spine ; Tuberculosis ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVES: Several researchers have shown that three dimensional (3D) distribution analysis of prostate cancer is helpful when initiating needle biopsy procedures. Knowledge regarding the distribution of prostate cancer could enhance understanding of the pathophysiology involved and improve detection of these malignancies. We propose utilizing digital processing techniques to analyze prostate cancer distribution in a 3D setting. METHODS: Pre-made radical prostatectomy sample slices were digitized with a resolution of 76 dpi. Slices of each sample were aligned and registered by deformation algorithm and interpolated for analysis of relative distribution statistics. We analyzed 80 samples saved in electronic medical record and compared the detection rate of preoperative needle biopsies and radical prostatectomies using our 3D analysis technique. RESULTS: The statistical 3D distribution of prostate cancer was evaluated using a 36-sector process. Results were represented in the following two ways: distribution of a single patient, and statistical distribution of prostate cancers of multiple patients. The overall concordance rate was 62.7% between the two methods; therefore a technique is needed which can raise this percentage. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest using the normalization method to develop a software tool which permits reconstruction of the 3D distribution of prostate cancer from 2D legacy images and reduces the loss of image quality as well. This application will facilitate detection of prostate cancer by aiding in the determination of the most effective clinical position via partial sampling with decreased patient inconvenience.
Biopsy, Needle ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Software

Five cases of traumatic intracranial aneurysm were presented. All of them were located at the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. These lesions were associated with basal skull fracture. Four cases were presented with massive epistaxis, and two of them required transfusion. All cases were treated successfully:four by detachable balloon occlusion of the proximal internal carotid artery and one by trapping of the lesion at the internal carotid artery. Because the mortality rate of ruptured traumatic aneurysm if high, clinical suspicion must be focused on prompt diagnostic work-up and early treatment.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, False ; Balloon Occlusion ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Epistaxis ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Mortality ; Skull Fractures

BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was found in several serotypes of E coli including 0157 serotype. Sorbitol-MacConkey agar: may be useful for the detection of E. coli 0157, but is not helpful for the detection of sorbitol-fermenting STEC other than 0157. Moreover, some strains of E. colt 0157 can ferment sorbitol. In this study, in situ hybridization using DNA probe of shiga toxin was used for the isolation of STEC from the PCR-positive stool and -Sequenbe analysis of a part of shiga toxin gene was performed. METHODS: The stool was incubated in LB broth overnight and DNA was extracted from the culture fluid. Multiplex PCR was performed with primers for stxl and stx2 genes. Specimen showed PCR-positive was incubated on MacConkey agar and colonies were blotted with nitrocellulose membrane. Digoxigenin-labelled DNA probe for shiga toxin was made by PCR and the positive colonies were detected with anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and nitroblue tetrazolium. Agglutination test with antisera was performed for the serotying and VTEC-RPLA kit was used for the toxin production. Sequence analysis of PCR products was performed with automatic sequence analyser. RESULTS: An stxl-negative, but stx2-positive PCR was observed in a three-year-old girl, who visited Kumi Hospital on July 19, 1999 complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. The positive colonies were isolated by in situ hybridization using stx2-specific DNA probe. The titers of stxl and stx2 by VTEC-RPLA test were negative and 1:64, respectively. Agglutination for the serotyping was not observed with all of the 0 antisera. 160-nucleotide sequence of stx2 of this isolate was identical with bacteriophage 933W (GenBank X07865), except for the change (T-C) of 957th nucleotide and amino acid sequence was identical each other. CONCLUSIONS: For the sensitive detection of STEC from the stool of patients with diarrhea, multiplex PCR is recommended with stxl- and stx2-specific primers. And in situ hybridization should be performed in PCR-positive specimen for the isolation of STEC. This method may be helpful for the detection of STEC as the causative microorganisms in food-borne outbreak.
Agar ; Agglutination ; Agglutination Tests ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacteriophages ; Collodion ; Diarrhea ; DNA ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; In Situ Hybridization ; Membranes ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Nitroblue Tetrazolium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis* ; Serotyping ; Shiga Toxin ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli* ; Sorbitol ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was found in several serotypes of E coli including 0157 serotype. Sorbitol-MacConkey agar: may be useful for the detection of E. coli 0157, but is not helpful for the detection of sorbitol-fermenting STEC other than 0157. Moreover, some strains of E. colt 0157 can ferment sorbitol. In this study, in situ hybridization using DNA probe of shiga toxin was used for the isolation of STEC from the PCR-positive stool and -Sequenbe analysis of a part of shiga toxin gene was performed. METHODS: The stool was incubated in LB broth overnight and DNA was extracted from the culture fluid. Multiplex PCR was performed with primers for stxl and stx2 genes. Specimen showed PCR-positive was incubated on MacConkey agar and colonies were blotted with nitrocellulose membrane. Digoxigenin-labelled DNA probe for shiga toxin was made by PCR and the positive colonies were detected with anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and nitroblue tetrazolium. Agglutination test with antisera was performed for the serotying and VTEC-RPLA kit was used for the toxin production. Sequence analysis of PCR products was performed with automatic sequence analyser. RESULTS: An stxl-negative, but stx2-positive PCR was observed in a three-year-old girl, who visited Kumi Hospital on July 19, 1999 complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. The positive colonies were isolated by in situ hybridization using stx2-specific DNA probe. The titers of stxl and stx2 by VTEC-RPLA test were negative and 1:64, respectively. Agglutination for the serotyping was not observed with all of the 0 antisera. 160-nucleotide sequence of stx2 of this isolate was identical with bacteriophage 933W (GenBank X07865), except for the change (T-C) of 957th nucleotide and amino acid sequence was identical each other. CONCLUSIONS: For the sensitive detection of STEC from the stool of patients with diarrhea, multiplex PCR is recommended with stxl- and stx2-specific primers. And in situ hybridization should be performed in PCR-positive specimen for the isolation of STEC. This method may be helpful for the detection of STEC as the causative microorganisms in food-borne outbreak.
Agar ; Agglutination ; Agglutination Tests ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacteriophages ; Collodion ; Diarrhea ; DNA ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; In Situ Hybridization ; Membranes ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Nitroblue Tetrazolium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis* ; Serotyping ; Shiga Toxin ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli* ; Sorbitol ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: compare quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning between sexually active ovarian cancer survivors and healthy women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 103 successfully treated ovarian cancer survivors and 220 healthy women. All women had engaged in sexual activity within the previous 3 months, and ovarian cancer survivors were under surveillance after primary treatment without evidence of disease. QoL and sexual functioning were assessed using three questionnaires; the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Ovarian Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-OV28), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Propensity score matching was used to adjust covariates between the ovarian cancer survivor and healthy women groups. In total, 73 ovarian cancer survivors and 73 healthy women were compared. RESULTS: Poorer social functioning (mean, 82.4 vs. 90.9; p=0.010) and more financial difficulties (mean, 16.4 vs. 7.8; p=0.019) were observed among ovarian cancer survivors than among healthy women. Sexuality, both in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain and in terms of interest in sex, sexual activity, and enjoyment of sex (EORTC QLQ-OV28) were similar between the groups. However, vaginal dryness was more problematic in ovarian cancer survivors, with borderline statistical significance (p=0.081). CONCLUSION: Sexuality was not impaired in ovarian cancer survivors who were without evidence of disease after primary treatment and having sexual activities, compared with healthy women, whereas social functioning and financial status did deteriorate. Prospective cohort studies are needed.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; *Ovarian Neoplasms/epidemiology/psychology/rehabilitation ; *Quality of Life/psychology ; Sexual Behavior/*physiology/psychology ; *Sexuality/physiology/psychology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; *Survivors/psychology/statistics & numerical data

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including L. plantarum isolated from Kimchi, are beneficial and safe microorganisms that improve disturbances of the indigenous microflora and the host's immune system. The adhesion abilities of Kimchi-derived L. plantarum PM008 and yogurt-derived L. casei were measured in vitro and in vivo. When L. plantarum or L. casei was incubated with Caco-2 cells, these Lactobacillus strains were potently attached. When these strains were orally administered to mice, the LABs were attached on the large intestine of mice. The attachment of L. plantarum on murine intestine or Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell lines was more potent than that of L. casei, although numbers of LAB between their feces were not different. Treatment with either L. plantarum or L. casei for 14 days suppressed fecal beta-glucuronidase activity, although treatment for one day did not affect it. L. plantarum showed more potent inhibition than L. casei. In addition, L. plantarum and L. casei were stable to artificial gastric and intestinal juice. L. plantarum was more stable than L. casei. Based on these findings, the survival and adhesion effects of orally administered LAB strains in the intestine may increase numbers of LAB in intestine and express their biological activities.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Caco-2 Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Feces ; Glucuronidase ; Humans ; Immune System ; Intestine, Large ; Intestines ; Lactic Acid ; Lactobacillus ; Lactobacillus casei ; Lactobacillus plantarum ; Mice ; Pyridines ; Thiazoles

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning between sexually active cervical cancer survivors and healthy women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, propensity-score-matched cervical cancer survivors (n=104) and healthy women (n=104) were compared. All women had engaged in sexual activity within the previous 3 months, and cervical cancer survivors showed no evidence of disease after primary treatment. QoL and sexual functioning were assessed using three questionnaires; the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Cervical Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-CX24), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: Significantly higher scores for lymphedema were observed in the cervical cancer survivors group compared with the healthy women group (mean, 20.2 vs. 12.2; p < 0.05). Sexuality, both in terms of sexual activity, sexual enjoyment, and sexual worry (EORTC QLQ-CX24), and in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (FSFI) were similar between the groups. When the scale of sexual/vaginal functioning in EORTC QLQ-CX24 was divided into individual questions, cervical cancer survivors reported shorter vaginal length than the control group, but without statistical significance (mean, 80.6 vs. 85.4; p=0.077). CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy women, sexuality was not impaired in cervical cancer survivors who showed no evidence of disease after primary treatment and engaging in sexual activity. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm this finding.
Arousal ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lubrication ; Lymphedema ; Orgasm ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life* ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexuality* ; Survivors* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: To investigate bioartificial vessels capable of being used for vascular grafts, we studied cell-polymer constructs from venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and biodegradable scaffolds using the canine model. METHODS: Scaffolds constructed from 50/50 poly (D,L-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were created with pores containing gelatin particles. Disk type scaffolds were used as templates of cell attachment and vascular tissue regeneration. SMCs were isolated from canine external jugular veins and primary SMCs cultures were produced with the explant-derived method. SMCs were seeded into the scaffolds and cultured statically for 4 weeks. The cell-polymer constructs were examined histochemically and using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The SMCs obtained by the explant-derived method were confirmed with immunohistochemical staining using an anti-smooth muscle actin antibody. Four weeks after the SMCs were seeded into the scaffold, histological examination showed SMCs infiltration into the scaffold wall and scanning electron microscopy revealed the SMCs mass which resembled tissue on the scaffold surface. CONCLUSION: This is a pilot study for the constructing artificial vessels using tissue engineering. The construction of the ideal scaffold for vessel and the improvement of culture methods in vitro are the most important parts in this field.
Actins ; Gelatin ; Jugular Veins ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Pilot Projects ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering* ; Transplants* ; Veins*