To evaluate the status of intestinal protozoan infections in inhabitants of Gangweon-Do, Korea, a total of 1,310 stool specimens (male 669, female 641) was collected from 2 cities and 3 counties. They were examined routinely 1 time by the method of formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The results were as follows: The positive rate for any kind of the intestinal protozoan cysts was 8.9 percent. A total of 6 kinds of the intestinal protozoan cysts were detected. The prevalence rate of each protozoa were; E. histolytica 0.8 percent, E. coli 7.6 percent, E. nana 1.4 percent, I. butschlii 0.2 percent, G. lamblia 0.5 percent and C. mesnili 0.5 percent. Sogcho-city showed the highest positive rate as 15.2 percent, Myeongju county was the next as 11.3 percent and Weonju-city showed the lowest positive rate as low as 3.9 percent. By age, the highest positive rate was found in 20-29 age group(12.4 percent). Female (9.5 percent) showed a slight higher positive rate than male (8.4 percent).
parasitology-protozoa ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Giardia lamblia ; Chilomastix mesnili ; epidemiology ; intestine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in nursing facilities can easily lead to a high rate of infection and fatality. A surge in newly infected cases in the first quarter of 2020 in Gyeongsan-si, in the Republic of Korea, was followed by several outbreaks in nursing facilities in the same area. The aim of this study is to report on the epidemiological investigation and the management to reduce the infection rate in nursing facilities for older adults.

Perineurioma is a rare benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor, composed uniformly of perineurial cells. Soft tissue perineurioma primarily arises within the subcutaneous tissue of extremities and trunk as a painless solitary nodule, and should be distinguished from dermatofibroma, neurofibroma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, meningioma and so on. A 25 year-old female is presented with three small asymptomatic papules on the third left finger which were found 3 years ago. Punch biopsy was performed on all of the papules. Microscopic examination demonstrated well-demarcated tumor within dermis, and proliferation of spindle cells with wavy nuclei and elongated bipolar cytoplasmic process, arranged in a whorled pattern. According to immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor cell showed positivity for epithelial membrane antigen, but negativity for S-100 protein, factor XIIIa, CD34, and smooth muscle actin. The diagnosis of soft tissue perineurioma was being made. We report this rare case of perineurioma presented as multiple papules localized within dermis of the digit.
Actins ; Biopsy ; Cytoplasm ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Dermis ; Extremities ; Factor XIIIa ; Female ; Fingers ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Meningioma ; Mucin-1 ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; Neurofibroma ; Peripheral Nerves ; S100 Proteins ; Subcutaneous Tissue

A study was carried out to figure the cases and to observe the endemic status of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in endemic areas in Korea. Total 13,373 inhabitants living in 40 villages along 7 main rivers and 9 small streams were subjected to stool examination. They were selected randomly among the riverside population. Their specimens were examined both by cellphane thick smear method and Stoll's egg countung technique. This study was performed during the period from May 1979 to April 1980. The results obtained are as follows: The egg positive rate of any kind of helminths was 58.7% out of 13,373 examned cases, and the egg positive rates by each helminth were; Clonorchis sinensis 21.5%, Metagonimus yokogaqai 4.8%, large type Metagonimus eggs 0.4%, Ascaris lumbricoides 22.9%, Trichuris trichiura 35.2%, hookworm 0.2%, Taenia sp. 0.5%, Hymenolepis nana 0.07%, Paragonimus westermani 2 cases, Fasciola sp. 4 cases, Echinostoma sp. 1 case and Hymenolepis diminuta 1 case respectively. Many endemic foci of clonorchiasis were revealed along the 7 major rivers. The egg positive rates of each river basin differed from each other significantly; Nagdonggang 40.2%, Yeongsangang 30.8%, Seomjingang 17.3%, Hangang 15.7%, Tamjingang 15.9%, Geumgang 12.0% and Mangyeonggang 8.0%. The cases of clonorchiasis were estimated in range 830,000 to 890,000 in riverside areas of the 7 rivers. By grading the infection intensity, 64.7% was in Grade I(EPG 0-900), 28.6% in Grade II (EPG 1000-9,900), 5.5% in Grade III (EPG 10,000-29,900) and 1.3% in Grade IV (EPG over 30,000). The proportion of the cases in Grade III and IV was 6.8% among positive cases. Therefore 60,000 cases at least were regarded to suffer from it clinically. Males of 30-60 years of age showed higher positive rate and heavier burden of infection. This makes clonorchiasis more important socially because the patients lose their social productivity. A few endemic foci of metagonimiasis were detected newly by egg detection; Samcheong 28.5% egg positive rate, Uljin 21.3%, Yeuongdeog 46.3%, Milyang 6.7%, Yeongil 9.2% and Geoje 18.2%. The mean EPG values were in range of 320-7, 120 by the focus. The egg positive rate and proportion of EPG Grade varied greatly by the area, and mean proportion of the positive cases were 69.7% in Grade I, 24.1% in Grade II, 5.0% in Grade III and 1.2% in Grade IV. Males of 30-60 years were infected in higher rate also. The large sized eggs of Metagonimus were found also in upper basin of Hangang and Geumgang mainly. They were regarded as eggs of M. takahashii which is mediated by the cyprinid fishes. Its significance should be studied further. Clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis should be realized as important public health problems in Korea by their wide distribution, high prevalence rate and heavy infection intensity. Comprehensive measures against them are needed urgently.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; clonorchiasis ; metagonimiasis ; Clonorchisis sinensis ; Metagonimus yokogawai ; epidemiology

Ticlopidine is an antiplatelet agent used as a drug to prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction or ischemic heart disease. Close attention has recently been paid to the superiority of this drug to aspirin in the prevention of stroke. Its mechanism of action differs from aspirin, dipyridamole, and sulfinpyrazone. Inhibition of the adenosine diphosphate induced pathway of platelet aggregation, along with the activation of adenylate cyclase and suppression of platelet-activating factor and thromboxane A2, are the postulated mechanisms of action of ticlopidine. Because ticlopidine causes neutropenia and agranulocytosis in roughly 1% of treated patients, usually within the first 3 months of treatment, this drug has been reserved for patients intolerant to aspirin therapy. We reported two cases of ticlopidine-induced neutropenia and one patient hospitalized with severe neutropenia and pneumonia.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; Agranulocytosis ; Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cerebral Infarction ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Neutropenia* ; Platelet Aggregation ; Pneumonia ; Recurrence ; Stroke ; Sulfinpyrazone ; Thromboxane A2 ; Ticlopidine

Ticlopidine is an antiplatelet agent used as a drug to prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction or ischemic heart disease. Close attention has recently been paid to the superiority of this drug to aspirin in the prevention of stroke. Its mechanism of action differs from aspirin, dipyridamole, and sulfinpyrazone. Inhibition of the adenosine diphosphate induced pathway of platelet aggregation, along with the activation of adenylate cyclase and suppression of platelet-activating factor and thromboxane A2, are the postulated mechanisms of action of ticlopidine. Because ticlopidine causes neutropenia and agranulocytosis in roughly 1% of treated patients, usually within the first 3 months of treatment, this drug has been reserved for patients intolerant to aspirin therapy. We reported two cases of ticlopidine-induced neutropenia and one patient hospitalized with severe neutropenia and pneumonia.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; Agranulocytosis ; Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cerebral Infarction ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Neutropenia* ; Platelet Aggregation ; Pneumonia ; Recurrence ; Stroke ; Sulfinpyrazone ; Thromboxane A2 ; Ticlopidine

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major complication after ABO-incompatible liver transplantation. According to the 2016 Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Criteria for the diagnosis of acute AMR, a positive serum donor specific antibody (DSA) is needed. On the other hand, the clinical significance of the histological findings of AMR in the absence of DSA is unclear. This paper describes a 57-year-old man (blood type, O+) who suffered from hepatitis B virus cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. Pre-operative DSA and cross-matching were negative. After transplantation, despite the improvement of the liver function, acute AMR was observed in the protocol biopsy on postoperative day 7; the cluster of differentiation 19+ (CD19+) count was 0% and anti-ABO antibody titers were 1:2. This paper presents the allograft injury like AMR in the absence of DSA after ABOi living donor liver transplantation with low titers of anti-ABO antibody and depleted serum CD19+ B cells.
Allografts ; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity ; B-Lymphocytes ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Hand ; Hepatitis B virus ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Donors*

Based on epidemiological studies, an International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group determined that strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid are carcinogenic to human even though, sulfuric acid, per se, is not. Accumulative studies indicate that there is a link between chronic occupational exposure to sulfuric acid mists and an increased risk of laryngeal cancer. Unintended, acute exposure to sulfuric acid mists can cause corrosive damage to target tissues depending on the route of exposure. This review compares the toxicity and carcinogenicity of sulfuric acid mists compared to other strong inorganic acid mists. It also examines the routes and duration of exposure (short-term, prolonged, and long-term). In vivo evidence does not support or refute the carcinogenicity of sulfuric inorganic mists even though its co-carcinogenic or promoting potential has been considered. On the basis of existing evidence on sulfuric acid mist toxicity, we suggested a putative adverse outcome pathway (AOP) relevant to carcinogenicity caused by mists containing sulfuric acid. A possible key factor involved in sulfuric acid mist carcinogenesis is the genotoxic effects of low pH since it can increase instability in chromosomes and DNA. A putative AOP for sulfuric acid mist carcinogenicity would help generate better risk assessments and more accurate predictions regarding the risk of developing cancer due to prolonged exposure. Establishing an AOP would also be useful for future studies examining the carcinogenicity of other strong inorganic mists.
Carcinogenesis ; Chemical Hazard Release ; DNA ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; International Agencies ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Assessment ; Sulfur ; Sulfuric Acids

As industry develops in modern society, many chemicals are being used. The safety of chemicals is an important issue because humans are constantly exposed to chemicals throughout their daily life. Through a risk assessment, the hazardous human effects of chemicals can be identified. Recently, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework has been used to predict the adverse effects of chemicals. As a conceptual framework for organizing existing biological knowledge, the AOP consists of a molecular initiating event, key events, and an adverse outcome. These independent elements represent biological responses and are connected by key event relationships. This AOP framework provides intuitive hazard identification that can be helpful for carcinogenic risk assessment of chemicals. In this review, we introduce the application of the AOP framework to risk assessment for predicting carcinogenicity of chemicals and illustrate the utility of this approach for cancer prevention.
Carcinogenesis ; Chemical Safety ; Humans ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and long-term outcomes of atrial septal defect (ASD) that presents in adulthood, according to the treatment modalities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS : A total of 134 patients (mean age: 42.7+/-17.7 years, 79 females) with ASD were divided into two groups: group I (the surgical treatment group; 100 patients, mean age: 38.3+/-14.7 years, 65 females) and group II (the medical treatment group; 34 patients, mean age: 55.9+/-19.3 years, 14 females). The clinical characteristics at presentation and the long-term clinical outcomes were analyzed between the groups. RESULTS : The clinical symptoms at presentation were usually mild. Most of the patients had sinus rhythm except for 14 patients (10.4%) who had atrial fibrillation. The defect size, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and the pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) according to echocardiography were 1.8+/-0.8 cm, 41.1+/-14.2 mmHg and 2.7+/-1.4 respectively. The age at presentation showed a significant positive correlation with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (r=0.44), the degree of tricuspid regurgitation (TR)(r=0.31), and the severity of pulmonary hypertension (r=0.45). Group I showed an improved NYHA class (from 1.9+/-0.7 to 1.4+/-0.6, respectively, p<0.001), a decreased SPAP (from 39.3+/-12.7 to 27.5+/-6.6 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001) and a decreased degree of TR (from 1.4+/-0.8 to 0.6+/-0.6, respectively, p<0.001) during the follow-up period. However, group II showed no significant changes. The incidence of hospitalization (10.1% in group I and 32.4% in group II, p=0.005) or arrhythmia (17.2% in group I and 35.3% in group II, p=0.011) was more frequent, and the NYHA functional class (1.4+/-0.6 in group I and 2.2+/-0.9 in group II, p<0.001) was more severe in group II than in group I. The mortality rate was higher in group II than in group I (3 patients: 8.8% in group II, 1 patient and 1.0% in group I, p=0.02) by uni-variate analysis. However, bon the multi-variate analysis, the mortality rate was not different between the groups (p=0.48). CONCLUSION : ASD presenting in adulthood showed mild clinical symptoms and a good prognosis. Surgical treatment showed symptomatic improvement, but there was no mortality benefit as compared with medical treatment.
Adult* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Artery ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency