Congenital pericardial defect is relatively rare and two different types, partial and complete, of different clinical significance have been recognized. Most reported defects are complete type and left-sided lesion. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of vague chest pain. Partial pericardial defect can be potentially fatal due to cardiac herniation and strangulation or coronary insufficiency. Plain chest reontgenography shows abnormal prominence along the cardiac border. 2-D echocardiography demonstrates a drop-off of pericardial echo and protruding cardiac chamber through the defect. Because of the potential fatality, surgical repair is recommended for the partial pericardial defect. We report a case of congenital partial left pericardial defect, which was diagnosed by plain chest reontgenography and 2-D echocardiography, with related literatures.
Chest Pain ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Carotid Stenosis ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain

PURPOSE: Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is very difficult because of no specific clinical and laboratory findings. It also takes at least 48 hours of incubation period to isolate the organism by culture study. So several laboratory tests have been evaluated for their usefulness in rapid detection of the neonatal sepsis. Those are evaluated either singly or in combination with a defined scoring system include leukocyte count with differential count, platelet count, C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haptoglobin level, fibronectin level, leukocyte alkaline phosphatase and so on. But no single test or combination with others has proved superior to the leukocyte count and differential count as a reliable indirect indicator of neonatal bacterial infection. We performed this study to determine the appropriate screening test for early detection of neonatal sepsis. METHODS: During the period of May 1991 through April 1997, we selected 200 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Kon-Kuk University Medical Center Seoul Hospital. All of the cases were retrospectively evaluated and divided two groups; sepsis group-88 neonates who were confirmed by blood cultures, and control group-112 neonates who had no evidence of neonatal bacterial infection. RESULTS: The results were as follows; 1) The sex ratio of male to female was 1.5:1 in the sepsis group and showed significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The incidence of neonatal sepsis in prernature infant was higher in sepsis group than control group (P<0.05), and mean body weight was lower in sepsis group (2351.4148.3g) than control group (Z821.8 142.6g) significantly (P<0.05). 2) Predisposing perinatal factors associated with neonatal sepsis were premature rupture of membrane (> or = 24hrs) (14.5%) meconiurn staining (6.8%), asphyxia (Apgar score < or = 6 at 5mins) (5.7%), eclampsia and preeclampsia (4.5%), maternal infection (3.4%) and bleeding (including placenta previa, abruptio placenta) (1.1%) in order of frequency. Among th, only premature rupture of membrane was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Others risk factors including umbilical catheterization, endotracheal intubation, ventilatory care, total parenteral nutrition were also signi- ficant difference between two groups (P<0.05). 3) The common presenting symptoms of neonatal sepsis were jaundice (48.9%), poor feeding (45.5%), ternperature instability (43.2%), lethargy (30.7%), irritability, dyspnea, diarrhea, vomiting, tachypnea, and cyanosis in order of frequency. Among the above symptoms, poor feeding, dyspnea and cyanosis were significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). 4) The peripheral blood findings (leukocyte count, platelet count, ESR) showed no significant differences between two groups (P>0.05). The acute phase reactants (APR) score above two (37/88) and positive C-reactive protein (51/88) in the sepsis group were regarded as significantly high compared to the control group. 5) In the cases with APR score above two including positive C-reactive protein and abnormal total leukocyte count, sensitivity was 17.0%, specificity 97.3% positive predictive predictive value 83.3%, and negative predictive value 60.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The higher frequency of neonatal sepsis was proved in the cases of APR score above two including positive C-reactive protein. In the cases with abnormal total leukocyte count and APR score above two including positive C-resctive protein, the specificity was 97.3% and the positive predictive value was 83.8%. So APR score above two including positive C-reactive protein and abnormal total leukocyte count could be regarded as an useful test method for early detection of neonatal sepsis.
Academic Medical Centers ; Acute-Phase Proteins ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Asphyxia ; Bacterial Infections ; Blood Sedimentation ; Body Weight ; C-Reactive Protein ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cyanosis ; Diarrhea ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis* ; Eclampsia ; Female ; Fibronectins ; Haptoglobins ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Jaundice ; Lethargy ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Membranes ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Placenta Previa ; Platelet Count ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul ; Sepsis* ; Sex Ratio ; Tachypnea ; Vomiting

Hantaan virus is the causative agent of rather severe form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome which occurs widely in north-eastern Asia including Korea, China and far eastcrn part of Russia. Although several types of vaccine for this disease have been developed, the therapeutic agent has not been developed yet. Therefore, we launched the construction of ribozyme to be used as the therapeutic purpose of the disease. Ribozyme which cleaves RNA as an enzyme is a RNA oligonucleotide specific to target RNA. We constructed a ribozyme oligonucleotide aimed at S genomic RNA segment of Hantaan virus (strain 76-118) containing T7 promoter region cornplementary to promoter primer oligonucleotide. Then two oligonucleotides were annealed to prepare double stranded transcription template, and transcription was performed in vitro. Thus, we could prepare the clone of whole S segment of the virus by RT-PCR, and then BamHI/HinCII fragment of the S genome segment was subcloned to pT7T319U vector containing T7 promoter in genome sense. The substrate transcript was made by run-off transcription. These substrate and ribozyme transcripts were used to detect cleavage activity of the ribozyme to the target RNA substrate prior to its application to cultured cell. The cleavage reaction showed that the ribozyme cleaves the target RNA which is S segment of Hantaan virus. To know whether the ribozyme works in cell infected with Hantaan virus as well, the ribozyme was transfected to Vero-E6 cell by lipofectin after inoculation of the virus. The transfected ribozyme was detectable in the cell by RT-PCR utilizing ribozyme specific primers. On 7 days after inoculation, the culture media were harvested and used to determinate viral titers by immunoenzyme plaque assay. In contrast to the mock transfected negative control, the viral titers of the cultures transfected at 1, 2 and 3 days after the virus inoculation were lowered to 1/100 level. This result suggests that the ribozyme inhibits the multiplication of Hantaan virus in cultured cell successfully in early stage of infection, and ribozyme is a possible new anti-viral drug against the virus infection.
Asia ; Cells, Cultured ; China ; Clone Cells ; Culture Media ; Genome ; Hantaan virus* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Korea ; Oligonucleotides ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA ; Russia

No abstract available.
Leptospira interrogans* ; Leptospira*

Condyloma acuminatum, a benign disease caused by a filtrable virus, occurs predominantly in the perianal andgenital areas. The lesions are noninvasive but are subject to recurrence. In rare instances, a more aggresive formof this disease, known as "giant condlyloma acuminatum" or "Buschke-Lownestein tumor", occures. In this form,infiltration of the lesion into surrounding structures takes place. This tumor has been reported to occurprincipally in the genitourinary tract. The authors experienced a cases of giant condyloma acuminatum originatingfrom rectum in 67 years old male patient which recurred 3 months after electrofulguration.
Buschke-Lowenstein Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Rectum ; Recurrence

Congenital tuberculosis is an infection that is established in the fetus by hematogenous spread or by the aspiration or inhalation of infected amniotic fluid either before or during labor. The diagnosis can be confirmed only if both the tuberculous nature of the lesion and the antenatal origin of the infection can be proved. The authors analysed roentgen findings of two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, thought to be congenital; 1. Diffuse distribution of nodular densities and some confluent densities were seen in the entire lungs in the inital film.The pulmonary markings were decreased in some degree. 2. Air bronchogram was noted. 3. Hepatosplenomegaly was associated.
Amniotic Fluid ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetus ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

A retrospective study was designed to determine the diagnostic contribution of oblique view in 740 consecutive lumbar spine examinations done in adults. In 12 cases (1.62%) there was a change in the radiographic interpretation when the oblique views were used for diagnosis. Considering the significant gonadal radiation, additional cost, and limited diagnostic value, the authors feel that the oblique view should not be a routine part of the initial lumbar spine examination in adults.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Gonads ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: Employee Assistance Programs have recently been introduced to Korea as a potential solution to relieve workers's stress and improve their mental health. This study was conducted to determine the needs of EAPs among manufacturing industry workers in Gyeongsang-do Korea. METHODS: Responses to structured survey questionnaires were received from 556 workers at 7 mediumsized manufacturing factories. RESULTS: Among the 556 workers who responded to the questionnaire 'Prevention & management of work stress', 'Mental health & management of daily life stress', 'Physical exercise health promotion program'. 'Elderly care', 'Outplacement', 'Financial support for leisure activities', and 'Ensuring leisure time'were raised as the main issues and services that they expected to be provided by the company. CONCLUSION: EAPs have recently been introduced in Korean companies. The study results will be helpful to clarify the needs of individual Korean workers and to determine what EAP services should be provided.
Health Promotion ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Mental Health ; Questionnaires

No abstract available
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eczema* ; Humans ; Nipples*