BACKGROUND: In recent years gonorrhea has been pandemic and remains one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases(STD) in the world, especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE & METHOD: For the detection of a more effective therapeutic regimen and to assess the prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG), we have been studying patients who have visited the VD Clinic of Choong-ku Public Health Center in Seoul since 1980 by means of the chromogenic cephalosporin method. RESULTS: In 1995, 97 strains of N. gonorrhoeae were isolated, among which 41(42.3%) were PPNG. CONCLUSION: Since the prevalence of PPNG was reported as 21.9% in 1981, the rate fluctuated. However, in 1993, there was an increase up to 74.3%. Thereafter, the prevalence rate decreased to 64.3% in 1994 and 42.3% in 1995. These changes will therefore need continuous observation.
Developing Countries ; Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Methods ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae* ; Neisseria* ; Pandemics ; Prevalence* ; Public Health ; Seoul*

Aconitine is a main component of Aconitum carmichaeli, a Chinese herb known to be effective for arthritis and neuralgia. Many senior citizens consume the herb as a folk remedy. Aconitine-associated cardiogenic toxicity has been observed but aconitine-induced cerebrovascular event has not been reported so far. We report two elderly patients who became unconscious and showed neurological dysfunction soon after ingesting aconitine for pain control. We speculate that the aconitine induced cardiac arrhythmia. This resulted in cardiogenic emboli formation with subsequent large territory cerebral infarction.
Aconitine

No abstract available.
Female ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal*

A 62-year-old farmer was admitted to our department because of second degree chemical burns of both buttocks ten days following accidental contact with Gramoxone, a weed killer. He was treated with oral antibiotics and cold compresses and discharged after the burned area were reepithelialized. Laboratory findings were within normal limits for three weeks. Although lung fibrosis, hepatic and renal failure can be caused by repeated absorption of paraquat (Gramoxone) through injuried skin, systemic absorption through normal skin has not been reported. During the four month follow up period there were no systemic problems nor recurrence of skin lesions. We report herein a case of chemical burns induced by Gramoxone, which is probably an occupational dermatosis of farmers handling weed killers.
Absorption ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Burns ; Burns, Chemical* ; Buttocks ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Acyclovir is a highly effective antiviral agent specifically inhibiting the replication of members of the herpes virus group, in particular the has been used extensively herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and the varicella zoster virus. Although acyclovir it has not caused for the treatment or prevention of herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections, significant changes in virus sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of HSV to acyclovir. METHODS: A total of 80 strains were used 43 strains of non-genital herpes and 37 strains of genital gerpes. These were isolated from 80 patients and were studied to evaluate their sensitivities to acyclovir by the plaque reduction assay. The methods employed to monitor the sensitivity of virus isolates rely on simple dose-response experiments, looking at the effects of increasing concentrations of acyclovir on infected cell culture specimen. The assay is based on quantified plaque counting. The sensitivity of virus strains are then expressed as ID50(concentrations of drug reducing viral cytopathic effect by 50%) and MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration). RESULTS: The results were summarized as follows. 1. The ID50 values of acyclovir for HSV ranged between 0.0625 - 4.0 microgram / ml. For non-genital herpes isolates the mean and median values were 0.459 microgram / ml (SD = 0.624) and 0.250 microgram / ml ; for genital herpes isolates these values were 0.649 microgram / ml (SD = 0.746) and 0.50 microgram / ml . 2. The MIC values of acyclovir for HSV ranged between 0.250 - 32 microgram / ml . For non-genital herpes isolates the mean and median values were 2.605 microgram / ml (SD = 5.270) and 1.00 microgram / ml ; for genital herpes isolates these values were 2.716 microgram / ml (SD = 3.015) and 2.00 microgram / ml . 5. 93.75%(75 strains) of HSV isolates were within the ranges of sensitive HSV strains for acyclovir. CONCLUSION: We are concerned about the resistance of viruses to antiviral drugs, but so far, this has not been documented to be a big problem. With the increasing interest and ability to measure sensitivity of viruses to antiviral drugs we will find out more about viral resistance and its clinical significance.
Acyclovir* ; Antiviral Agents ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral ; Herpes Genitalis ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Simplexvirus*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Synostosis*

Background & Objective: The number of ischemic stroke is increasing steadily. The recent stroke prevention strategies have targeted risk factors for preventing ischemic stroke. Community-based data that quantify the prevalence of these risk factors are needed to develop effective stroke prevention strategies. This study was performed aiming to establish customized prevention strategies by investigating vascular risk factors of ischemic stroke among the healthy adults in an urban population in Korea. Methods: The Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (PRESENT) survey collected data associated with stroke risk factors between 2007 and 2009 in Ansan city, Korea. Of 46,537 people, 2,843 were selected by random sampling, and final population included 358 men and 422 women over 50 years old. We checked modifiable risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and physical inactivity. Results: The mean age of study subjects was 60.1±8.2 years; 55.5% had hypertension, 18.6% had diabetes mellitus, 17.7% were current smoker, 44.9% had hyperlipidemia, 1.7% had atrial fibrillation, and 4.5% had cardiovascular disease. Men had more risk factors for stroke, and higher rates of diabetes mellitus and current smoking. However, women had higher cholesterol and obesity rates and lower physical activity. The proportion of individuals with >1 risk factor for stroke increased with age. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases also increased with age, but low-density lipoprotein levels and current smoking decreased. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information to develop customized strategic policies for primary and secondary stroke prevention.
Stroke

No abstract available.
Fetal Macrosomia*

No abstract available.
Cholesterol* ; Female ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Lipoproteins* ; Metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy*