PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare two bowel preparation agents, sodium phosphate solution with magnesium citrate solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 subjects that underwent a double-contrast barium enema were included in this study. Bowel preparation before performing the barium study was done by using a sodium phosphate solution in 47 subjects and by using a magnesium citrate solution in the other 47subjects. We evaluated the presence or absence of side effects when using these bowel preparation agents. Two radiologist who were blinded to the type of bowel preparation evaluated the quality of bowel preparation at the colonic segments (ascending, descending, and sigmoid colon) on the radiographs obtained by double-contrast barium enema, with regard to stool cleansing, water retention, barium coating and bubble formation. RESULTS: The side effects, such as abdominal clamping pain, nausea, hunger pain and chill occurred more frequently in the sodium phosphate group than in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). Stool retention was more frequently found in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). However, no statistical difference was noted on the status of water retention and barium coating between two groups. Gas bubble formation was more commonly seen in the sodium phosphate group (p<0.001). The sodium phosphate solution appeared to be more effective in cleansing the right colon (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Sodium phosphate solution appears to be more effective for colonic cleansing, with a lower incidence of side effects, than when using magnesium citrate solution.
Barium* ; Citric Acid* ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Constriction ; Enema* ; Humans ; Hunger ; Incidence ; Magnesium* ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies* ; Sodium* ; Water

Among the possible venous thromboembolic events in nephrotic syndrome, renal vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are common, while portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is rare. This report describes a 26-year-old man with histologically proven minimal change disease (MCD) complicated by PVT. The patient presented with epigastric pain and edema. He had been diagnosed with MCD five months earlier and achieved complete remission with corticosteroids, which were discontinued one month before the visit. Full-blown relapsing nephrotic syndrome was evident on laboratory and clinical findings, and an abdominal computed tomography revealed PVT. He immediately received immunosuppressants and anticoagulation therapy. An eight-week treatment resulted in complete remission, and a follow-up abdominal ultrasonography showed disappearance of PVT. In conclusion, PVT is rare and may not be easily diagnosed in patients with nephrotic syndrome suffering from abdominal pain. Early recognition of this rare complication and prompt immunosuppression and anticoagulation therapy are encouraged to avoid a fatal outcome.
Abdominal Pain ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anticoagulants ; Edema ; Fatal Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Proteinuria ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Renal Veins ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thrombosis*

BACKGROUND: During the last three decades, the resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin has been rapidly increasing in many parts of the world, especially in Korea. To characterize the clinical features and epidemiology of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) infections in the community and hospital, as well as to investigate the possible spread of resistant clone, we performed the antimicrobial susceptibility tests, pulsed filed gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and penicillin-binding protein (PBP) profile analysis of PRSP isolates. METHODS: A total 48 PRSP isolates from patients who visited or were admitted to Korea University Guro hospital during the period form July 1998 to June 1999 were studied. Anitimicrobial susceptibility tests for 48 isolates were performed with microbroth dilution method to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of 11 antibiotics. 39 isolates and 35 isolates were subjected to PFGE and PBP profile analysis, respectively to investigate the genetic relatedness between PRSP isolates. RESULTS: Pneumonia was most common site of infection in the community and the hospital as 50%. There were no significant differences of clinical features and prognosis between community and hospital isolates. But, patients with serious underlying diseases had poor prognosis despite of acquisition site. High level penicillin resistance were observed in 69%, multi-drug resistance were 64.6% of isolates. PFGE showed that 13 of 29 community acquired infection were identical PFGE pattern but not that of 23F Spanish clone. There were various PFGE patterns were observed from community and hospital acquired infection isolates. Some of them were existed in both. PBP profiles showed more diverse, even if in isoaltes of the same PFGE pattern. CONCLUSOIN: In our study, high level penicillin resistance and multi-drug resistance were observed in PRSP clinical isolates. No clinical and prognostic differeces were observed between community and hospital acquired infections. Molecular epidemiology study were suggest the there were various genotypes of PRSP within our society. Some of them were observed in the hospital and community. Therefore, there was an evidence of communication of PRSP clones between the community and hospital.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Clone Cells ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Electrophoresis ; Epidemiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Penicillin Resistance ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Streptococcus pneumoniae* ; Streptococcus*

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of auditory and visual cues on gait in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). METHOD: Patients were 16 persons with IPD, and controls were 14 age-matched healthy persons. Controls were allowed to walk at self-selected gait speed and patients walked at no, auditory and visual cues. Gait parameters were gained, and stride variability were measured at each gait trial. RESULTS: In patients, cadence at visual cues was decreased compared with that of controls, no and auditory cues in the statistics. Walking velocity was decreased in all patients than controls, but there was no difference in each cues. Stri-de length at visual cues was increased compared with that of no and auditory cues, and increased to that of controls. Stride variability was decreased at visual cues compared with that of no and auditory cues, and decreased to that of controls. CONCLUSION: With the use of visual cues in patients with IPD, the cadence was decreased but stride length was increased and stride variability was decreased to the level of controls. Thus, visual cues could be one of the useful method for gait training in patients with IPD.
Cues* ; Gait* ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease* ; Walking

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is a rare benign disorder of the trachea and major bronchi. It is characterized by multiple cartilaginous or osseous submucosal nodules that project into the tracheobronchial lumen. Awareness of the condition is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. We report here on the CT and bronchoscopic findings of tracheopathia osteoplastica associated with anthracofibrosis in a 67-year old woman, and we will then discuss our findings.
Aged ; Bronchi ; Female ; Humans ; Trachea ; Unnecessary Procedures

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Four soluble factors—putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102—were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45–55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of ischemic injury to the gastrointestinal tract and this frequently occurs in the elderly. It manifests with sudden, left lower abdominal pain, diarrhea and hematochezia. Radiologic modalities such as barium enema may be helpful in delineating the degree and location of ischemic colitis, but colonoscopy is the procedure of choice for making the diagnosis. Ischemic colitis generally runs a benign course lasting a few days and it requires only supportive treatment in most cases. Complications of ischemic colitis and recurrence are rare. We report here on a case of colonic stricture that was caused by ischemic colitis, and we include a brief review of the relevant literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Barium ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ischemic ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diarrhea ; Enema ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Recurrence