No abstract available.
Tetanus*

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile vasculitis affecting primarily infants and young children. In addition to the cardiovascular involvement, it may cause inflammatory changes in various organs and body systems : digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous and musculoskeletal. A case is reported of atypical Kawasaki disease associated with acute renal failure and necrotizing myositis in the right gastrocnemius in a 10-year-old boy. In older children, uncommon age of onset and additional features less commonly associated with Kawasaki disease may contribute to a delayed diagnosis.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Age of Onset ; Child ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myositis* ; Vasculitis

It has been reported that keratocytes endocytose foreign particles both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the active participation of keratocytes in corneal wound healing and host defense mechanism. This study was conducted to investigate the phagocytosis of keratocytes against Candida albicans[C.albicans]and the intracellular response after phagocytosis. C.albicans were fixed with glutaraldehyde and then coated with fibronectin. After exposing these C.albicans to the cultured rabbit keratocytes, the phagocytosis of keratocytes against C.albicans was evaluated by light microscope[LM]and transmission electron microscope[TEM], while the intracellular response was evaluated by changes of acid phosphatase activity. Also the study about latex beads was performed at the same time to know even if keratocytes can phagocytose foreign particles, regardless of wheather or not the particles are biodegradable. After Wright staining, phagocytosed latex beads and C.albicans were observed on LM and these were recognized to be surrounded by limiting membranes inside the cytoplasm of keratocytes on TEM. The phagocytic rates of fibronectin-coated were increased to 1.5 times , as compared with that of non-coated group. Acid phosphatase activities were higher in C.albicans-exposed groups than in control[keratocytes cultured without C.albicans or latex beads]during the culture period of 24 hours and they also increased according to culture duration and reached to the plateau after 12 hours. In comparison with non-coated group, fibronectin-coated groups showed a increasing tendency of acid phosphatase activity. These results suggest that keratocytes can phagocytose not only foreign particles but also C.albicans and that fibronectin may act as effective opsonin on phagocytosis, and that keratocytes phagocytosing C.albicans increase acid phosphatase activity to digest engulfed C.albicans when corneal stroma was wounded or inflammed.
Acid Phosphatase* ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Corneal Stroma ; Cytoplasm ; Fibronectins ; Glutaral ; Latex ; Membranes ; Microspheres ; Phagocytosis* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

This study was performed to investigate the in vitro proliferation and migration of rabbit auricular chondrocytes into the various sized pore of PLLA and PLGA scaffolds. The chondrocytes were harvested, expanded, and seeded onto PLGA(50 : 50, 75 : 25, 85 : 15) and PLLA scaffold having either small(50 - 100 micrometer) or large(300 - 350 micrometer) pores. On the 4th and 8th week after culture, histologic observation and quantitative DNA assay were done. We noted that the largest amount of DNA was found in the 85 : 15 PLGA sponges than others, and in the 4th and 8th week, some amount of DNA was detected in the lower portion of 85 : 15 PLGA sponge only, and DNA amounts were increased during the culture period in the 85 : 15 PLGA, significantly. We also found that the numbers of cells were low in middle portion of scaffolds, and in large pore-sized group of 85 : 15 PLGA, there were many cells in the lower portion of the scaffolds more than that of small pore group. In conclusion, the pore size of the scaffold for chondrocyte culture is important for cell migration and proliferation, and PLGA, especially 85 : 15 PLGA with 300- 350 micrometer sized pore is the more suitable biomatrix for proliferation and migration of the chondrocytes.
Cell Movement ; Chondrocytes* ; DNA ; Porifera

A 3 year and 3 months old boy with recurrent infections since his age of 5 months was presented with clinical data and autopsy findings. He was the 4th product of healthy parents. His elder brother died of recurrent perianal abscess and sepsis at his age of 3 years. His 2nd elder sister died on the 14th day of life probably from the complication of BCG vaccination. Beginnig with perianal abscesses at his age of 5 months, he has been continuously suffering from recurrent infections such as arthritis, ostomyelitis, pneumonia, epididymitis, subcutaneous abscesses and perianal abscesses. In spite of meticulous supportive and aggressive antibiotic therapy persistent positive cultures for staph. Aureus, klebsiella, E. Coli, Enterococcus and coliform bacilli from different sited were noted. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 25 to 40 were constant. White cell count varied frem 15500 to 33400 with polymorphonucleocytes predominance. NBT test showed persistent low scoring of 2% throught the course. He finally died of pneumonia and empyema. At postmortem examination, multiple abscesses and grnulomas of right lung and multipe granulomas in the liver, spleen, lymph node, bone, marrow, adrenal gland, kidney and intestinal wass were noted. At microscopic examination histiocytic granulomas with lipid containing histiocyte infiltrations were noted in every organs described including brain.
Abscess ; Adrenal Glands ; Arthritis ; Autopsy ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone Marrow ; Brain ; Cell Count ; Empyema ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Enterococcus ; Epididymitis ; Granuloma ; Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney ; Klebsiella ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Parents ; Pneumonia ; Sepsis ; Siblings ; Spleen ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: Multidrug resistance (MDR) of the cancer cells related to mdr1 gene expression can be effectively treated by selective short hairpin RNA for mdr1 gene (shMDR). Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene is well known to have both reporter and therapeutic gene characteristics. We have co-transfected both shMDR and NIS gene into colon cancer cells (HCT15 cell) expressing MDR and Tc-99m sestamibi and I-125 uptake were measured. In addition, cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and I-131 therapy were also assessed after transfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At first, shMDR was transfected with liposome reagent into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and HCT cells. shMDR transfection was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Adenovirus expressing NIS (Ad-NIS) gene and shMDR (Ad-shMDR) were co-transfected with Ad-NIS into HCT15 cells. Forty-eight hours after infection, inhibition of P-gycoprotein (Pgp) function by shMDR was analyzed by a change of Tc-99m sestamibi uptake and doxorubicin cytotoxicity, and functional activity of induced NIS gene expression was assessed with I-125 uptake assay. RESULTS: In HEK293 cells transfected with shMDR, mdr1 mRNA and Pgp protein expressions were down regulated. HCT15 cells infected with 20 MOI of Ad-NIS was higher NIS protein expression than control cells. After transfection of 300 MOI of Ad-shMDR either with or without 10 MOI of Ad-NIS, uptake of Tc-99m sestamibi increased up to 1.5-fold than control cells. HCT15 cells infected with 10 MOI of Ad-NIS showed approximately 25-fold higher I-125 uptake than control cells. Cotransfection of Ad-shMDR and Ad-NIS resulted in enhanced cytotoxic by doxorubicin in HCT15 cells. I-131 treatment on HCT15 cells infected with 20 MOI of Ad-NIS revealed increased cytotoxic effect. CONCLUSION: Suppression of mdr1 gene expression, retention of Tc-99m sestamibi, enhanced doxorubicin cytotoxicity and increases in I-125 uptake were achieved in MDR expressing cancer cell by co-transfection of shMDR and NIS gene. Dual therapy with doxorubicin and radioiodine after cotransfection shMDR and NIS gene can be used to overcome MDR.
Adenoviridae ; Blotting, Western ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Resistance, Multiple* ; Gene Expression ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Ion Transport* ; Kidney ; Liposomes ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

PURPOSE: With the increased use of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a growing group of patients can now be considered for second-line chemotherapy. However, guidelines for the second line treatment remain to be developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the gemcitabine and vinorelbine combination therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC, pretreated with taxane and platinum based regimens. Gemcitabine has already demonstrated activity in this patient group, with the combination therapy having been reported to be well tolerated in previous phase I/II studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two patients with advanced NSCLC (stages III/IV), having received prior taxane and platinum based chemotherapy, with an ECOG performance status (PS) 0~2, and unimpaired hematopoietic and organ function, were treated with vinorelbine, 20 mg/m2, followed by gemcitabine, 1, 000 mg/m2, both administered on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Out of the 42 patients enrolled, 41 were evaluable for their response, and all 42 for their toxicity. The patient's characteristics were as follows; median age=60 years (42~73), median PS=1 (range 0~2), a gender ratio 31: 11 males/females, with stages IIIA, IIIB and IV in 3, 14 and 25 cases. The objective responses included a partial response (PR) 8/41 (19.5%), a stable disease 15/41 (36.6%) and a progressive disease 18/41 (43.9%). The median time-to progression (TTP) and survival were 4 months, ranging from 2 to 14 months, and 8 months, ranging from 2 to 17+ months, respectively. Grade 3 neutropenia was seen in 19% of the patient, and there was no grade 4 neutropenia or episodes of febrile neutropenia. No grade 4 thrombocytopenia or other grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were observed. CONCLUSION: The combination of gemcitabine/vinorelbine is active and well tolerated in patients with advanced NSCLC having failed prior taxane/platinum therapy.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Drug Therapy* ; Febrile Neutropenia ; Humans ; Neutropenia ; Platinum ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis A has increased nationwide and is related to the low rate of IgG anti-HAV. This study compared the prevalence of IgG anti-HAV in two university hospitals located in a large city and in a small city including a rural region according to age, gender, and the year of diagnosis. METHODS: IgG anti-HAV was measured in a total of 4299 patients, who visited Seoul or Guri Hanyang University Hospital between January 2002 and December 2006. RESULTS: The positive rates of the antibody in Seoul and Guri hospitals were 52.7% vs 57.1% in under the age of 1, 40.7% vs 42.2% in age of 1 to 4, 31.8% vs 30.3% in age of 5 to 9, 24.8% vs 27.1% in age of 10 to 14, 11.6% vs 18.2% in age of 15 to 19, 23.0% vs 20.3% in age of 20 to 24, 40.5% vs 42.9% in age of 25 to 29, 67.5% vs 75.0% in age of 30 to 34, 86.5% vs 88.1% in age of 35 to 39, 95.3% vs 93.6% in age of 40 to 44, 97.0% vs 98.7% in age of 45 to 49, and 98.5% vs 98.6% in patients who were more than 50, respectively. The positive rates of the antibody were not significantly different between two sites according to each age group and gender. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed the low rates of IgG anti-HAV, particularly in the ages of 10-24 that match the age group of recently increased incidence of acute hepatitis A nationwide. Therefore, measurement of the antibody and vaccination should be considered in this age group.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Infant ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Urban Population

It is well known that the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may occur as an acute hepatitis after chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy. Although most of these cases have been reported in HBsAg-positive patients, there have been a few reports of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-negative patients. There have been concerns for the need to screen the reactivation as well as anti-viral prophylaxis in HBsAg-negative patients with possible HBV occult infection who are planning to undergo chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is effective in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, rituximab can affect the immunity against HBV, consequently increasing viral replication. In fact, there have been reports of HBV reactivation after treatment with rituximab. Here, we report a case of HBV reactivation following rituximab plus systemic chemotherapy in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patient who was HBsAg negative, anti-HBs positive, and anti-HBc positive, ultimately leading to treatment-unresponsive fulminant hepatic failure.
Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Female ; Guanine/analogs &derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Hepatitis B virus/isolation &purification ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute/*diagnosis ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/*drug therapy ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a pandemic disease because of the frequent antigenic variation. There is an international influenza network by WHO, but no national surveillance system has been established in Korea. The purpose of this study was to understand the influenza epidemiology by examining the incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) and the subtype of isolated viruses in Korea during the winter of 1997 and 1998. METHODS: The consultation rates and clinical features of ILI were based on the weekly reports by 71 sentinel physicians (SP) from October 1997 to March 1998. Throat swabs from patients with ILI were collected and inoculated to Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells. Isolates were identified by hemagglutination (HA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and confirmed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: The incidence of ILI and virus isolation peaked in December 1997 and decreased to the baseline in February 1998. Influenza occurred mostly in 1- to 5-years old children and systemic symptoms were the main clinical features. One-hundred and thirty two influenza viruses among 2,071 specimens were isolated. The major subtype of isolates was A/H3N2 (A/Sydney/05/97). A/H1N1 subtype was isolated at low levels (4 strains), whereas B and A/ H5N1 were not. RFLP for M gene was compatible with those bands of A/H3N2 and A/H1N1. CONCLUSION: Influenza epidemiology was studied on the basis of a nationwide surveillance system during 1997 and 1998. The incidence of ILI and virus isolation peaked in December 1997 and predominant strains of isolates were closely related to A/H3N2. To establish a more effective system, it is necessary to increase the number of participating SP and laboratories.
Antigenic Variation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epidemiology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Hemagglutination ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human* ; Kidney ; Korea* ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Pandemics ; Pharynx ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length