Norovirus is a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Rapid and accurate detection of norovirus is essential for the prevention and control of norovirus outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to propose and develop a process for establishing appropriate standardized guidelines for the approval and evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD) for norovirus detection in Korea based on the related laws, regulations, and guidelines of USA, Europe, and Korea. We expect that this study could be used for diagnostic test standardization and the approval and evaluation of domestic norovirus diagnostic devices. We also expect the results will contribute to industrial expansion and public health promotion.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine* ; Disease Outbreaks ; Europe ; Gastroenteritis ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Norovirus* ; Public Health ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Social Control, Formal

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early and midterm results of superficial femoral artery (SFA) stenting with self-expanding nitinol stents and to identify the factors affecting patency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SFA stenting was performed in 165 limbs of 117 patients from January 2009 to December 2013. Patients were followed-up for the first occurrence of occlusion or stenosis based on computed tomography and duplex scan results and a decrease in ankle brachial index of >15%. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (mean, 15.3+/-3.2 months), no early thrombotic reocclusions occurred within 30 days, but in-stent restenosis developed in 78 limbs. The primary patency rates at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 78%, 66%, 42%, and 22%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates were 85%, 72%, 58%, and 58%, respectively. TASC II C or D lesions, stent length >8 cm, number of patent tibial arteries and diabetes were significantly associated with reintervention. CONCLUSION: The midterm results of stenting for SFA occlusive disease were disappointing because the primary and secondary patency rates at two years were 22% and 58%, respectively. Reintervention after SFA stenting remains a major problem, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus or long TASC II C or D lesions.
Ankle Brachial Index ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endovascular Procedures ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Stents* ; Tibial Arteries

PURPOSE: There was a global increase in the prevalence of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses during the 2007-2008 influenza season. This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons among patients who were treated with oseltamivir (group A) and those that did not receive oseltamivir (group B). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 321 pediatric patients who were hospitalized because of influenza during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons. Drug resistance tests were conducted on influenza viruses isolated from 91 patients. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the clinical characteristics of groups A and B during both seasons. Influenza A/H1N1, isolated from both groups A and B during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 periods, was not resistant to zanamivir. However, phenotypic analysis of the virus revealed a high oseltamivir IC50 range and that H275Y substitution of the neuraminidase (NA) gene and partial variation of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene did not affect its antigenicity to the HA vaccine even though group A had a shorter hospitalization duration and fewer lower respiratory tract complications than group B. In addition, there was no significant difference in the clinical manifestations between oseltamivir-susceptible and oseltamivir-resistant strains of influenza A/H1N1. CONCLUSION: Establishment of guidelines to efficiently treat influenza with oseltamivir, a commonly used drug for treating influenza in Korean pediatric patients, and a treatment strategy with a new therapeutic agent is required.
Child ; Drug Resistance ; Hemagglutinins ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Neuraminidase ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Oseltamivir ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory System ; Seasons ; Viruses ; Zanamivir

We describe here a case of intraductal tubular carcinoma of the main pancreatic duct. Gadolinium-enhanced pancreas magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an enhancing mass that was confined in the dilated main pancreatic duct of the pancreatic body, along with dilatation of the upstream main pancreatic duct and chronic pancreatitis that was due to obstruction. MR cholangiopancreatography and an endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram showed a filling defect that was due to an intraductal mass of the pancreatic body, along with dilatation of the upstream main pancreatic duct and no dilatation of the downstream main pancreatic duct. The pathological findings demonstrated an intraductal nodular appearance without papillary projection or mucin hypersecretion.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/*diagnosis/pathology ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The rate of dependence among ever-users of a drug indicates the risk of developing dependence once an individual has been exposed to the drug. This is the first study to investigate 12-month tobacco dependence (TD) among ever-smokers in a community-based population. Analyses were based on two national studies of representative samples aged 18-64 in 1984 (n=5,025) and in 2001 (n=6,275), conducted with household visits and face-to-face interviews. The rates of 12-month TD among ever-smokers in men showed no significant difference between 51.6% in 1984 and 50.6% in 2001. On the contrary, the rates in women significantly increased from 33.3% in 1984 to 52.8% in 2001. After adjusting for the sociodemographic variables, 'male gender' was significantly associated with 12-month TD among eversmokers in 1984, but not in 2001. 'Unmarried' was significantly associated in 2001 but not in 1984. 'Alcohol dependence' was the only psychiatric disorder associated with 12-month TD in both study years. In conclusion, 12-month TD was found in about 50% of ever-smokers, and gender differences between the rates of 12-month TD which was observed in 1984 disappeared in 2001. Individuals with 12-month TD showed higher comorbidity with alcohol dependence than ever-smokers without TD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alcoholism/complications ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; *Smoking ; Tobacco Use Disorder/complications/*diagnosis/*epidemiology

Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively uncommon infectious disorder where a bacterial organism penetrates the subcutaneous tissues and superficial fascia, ultimately causing necrosis of vast areas of soft tissue. Although invasive Streptococcus spp., most commonly group-A streptococci, is the most frequent cause of this disorder, in a single organism-infection, necrotizing fasciits caused by Klebseilla pneumoniae is becoming more frequently reported, perhaps due to the recent increase in the frequency of diabetes and liver diseases. Necrotizing fasciitis caused by K. pneumoniae is usually secondary to hematogenous dissemination, most commonly caused by trauma or liver abscess and usually results in multiple organ failure. The progression of the disease is so rapid that the mortality rate is high despite aggressive surgical intervention and extensive use of antibiotics at an early disease stage. Here we report a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by hematogenously spread K. pneumoniae from incompletely treated chronic otitis media in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and diabetes.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; Mortality ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Necrosis ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Pneumonia ; Streptococcus ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Standard open surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease has achieved excellent long-term patency, but is accompanied by postoperative morbidity, including ileus, pain and delayed functional recovery. A laparoscopic approach to the aorta may afford several advantages as a less invasive modality. Herein, our two experiences of a total laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass (LABF) are reported. Two males, 57 and 73-years old, presented with a history of resting pain in both legs (especially right) and progressing severe claudication, respectively. The patients were positioned in right lateral decubitus, with their left side elevated between 70degrees to 80degrees using a pillow and tilted table. Five ports under the pneumoperitoneum were used for the procedure (five ports; 10 to 12 mm). The laparoscopic techniques consisted of aortic dissection, vascular control and intracorporeal anastomosis. The approach to the aorta in the transperitoneal left retrocolic plane was used for the first case, and in the transperitoneal left retrorenal plane for the second. Laparoscopic anastomosis was performed through two continuous running intracorporeal sutures and multiple interrupted sutures. The aortic clamping times were 178 and 185 minutes, respectively. The operative times were 415 and 530 minutes, with liquid diets initiated on the second and third postoperative days, respectively. Both patients suffered minimal postoperative pain, and were subsequently discharged. Total laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass is more technically demanding than an open procedure. However, our experiences indicate that total laparoscopic aortic surgery is worthy of further development.
Aged ; Aorta ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction ; Diet ; Humans ; Ileus ; Laparoscopy ; Leg ; Male ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Running ; Sutures

OBJECTIVE: A large body of evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important to tumor growth and angiogenesis in cancers. This study was designed to determine the relationship between tumor vascularity and VEGF expression in invasive cervical cancer. Furthermore, we also compared the clinical factors with VEGF expression. METHODS: We examined the expression of VEGF and microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemical staining in 20 specimens collected from invasive cervical cancer patients. Thereafter, we compared the results with several clinical factors. We used the Chi-square test and One way Anova test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All specimens showed weak and strong immunoreactivity. Microvessel counts were high in the strong (median 157.6) VEGF immunoreactivity and low in the weak (median 90) VEGF immunoreactivity (P=0.000). In addition, parametrium invasion showed statistically significant correlation with VEGF expression extent (p=0.021) but age, SCC, CEA, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node invasion and invasion depth of cervix showed no correlation. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of VEGF may play an important role in the promotion of angiogenesis in cervical cancer and may have relation to prognosis.
Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels ; Prognosis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of the DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in Korean population using the Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI). METHODS: Subjects were selected by taking multi-stage, cluster samples of 7,867 adult household residents, 18 to 64 years of age, in ten catchment areas. Total 78 trained interviewers administered the K-CIDI to the selected respondents, from June 1 to November 30, 2001. RESULTS: Total 6,275 respondents completed the interview. Some 33.5% of respondents reported at least one lifetime disorder, 20.6% reported at least one-year disorder, and 16.7% reported at least one-month disorder. The most common lifetime disorders were alcohol abuse/dependence (17.24%), nicotine dependence/withdrawal (11.19%), specific phobia (5.16%), and major depressive disorder (4.25%). The lifetime prevalence of substance abuse/dependence (0.25%) and schizophrenia (0.16%) was very low. Nicotine and alcohol use disorder showed very high male/female ratio. Mood disorder and anxiety disorder were more prevalent among female than male. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was high. In comparison with other studies, remarkable differences in distributions of psychiatric disorders across the areas and times were observed.
Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mood Disorders ; Nicotine ; Phobic Disorders ; Prevalence* ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to review the clinical and hematologic findings of the preterm infants delivered from pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) mothers. METHODS: The data were collected by reviewing the medical records on the current prognosis of preterm birth and sending questionnaires on the status of NICU. We reviewed the medical records from two university hospitals and two resident training hospitals in Gwangju-Chonnam to evaluate the neonatal prognosis of preterm birth from Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1997. RESULTS: The average survival rate of total preterm babies was 79.6%. According to birth weights, survival rate from less than 1,000 gm was 10%, 1,000-1,499 gm was 55.3%, 1,500-1,999 gm was 82.2%. Maternal risk factors were pretmature rupture of membrane(42.2%), preterm labor (21.3%), PIH(10.7%), multiple pregnancy(8.2%) and incompetent internal os of cervix(4.2%). The average gestational age and birth weight were 34.2+/-2.3 weeks and 1,940+/-620 gm in the preterm infants born to mothers with PIH. The death rate was 12.9% in the preterm infants born to mothers with PIH. There were no significant differences in the incidence of RDS, use of assisted ventilation and surfactant, and frequency of the blood transfusion between the preterm infants born to normotensive mothers and those to mothers with PIH. There were significant differences in the total WBC count, platelet count and the concentration of the Mg, Ca and P between the preterm infants born to normotensive mothers and those to mothers with PIH. CONCLUSION: Our results may be helpful to predict the perinatal complications and manage the preterm infants by considering the clinical and hematologic findings of preterm infants born to mothers with PIH.
Birth Weight ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Mothers* ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Platelet Count ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prognosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Survival Rate ; Ventilation