BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae causes pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infection and has been recently reported to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis. The difference between C. pneumoniae and other Chlamydia spp. has been demonstrated by serologic study, DNA analysis and ultrastructural observation. However, studies concerning the developmental cycle of C. pneumoniae are relatively short. This study was conducted to investigate the morphological changes and developmental characteristics of C pneumoniae in the HeLa cell. METHODS: To observe the intracellular inclusion of C. pneumoniae, the cultured HeLa cell monolayer was stained with Jones' iodine and Giemsa. The ultrastructures were examined with an electron microscope at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after inoculation of elementary bodies. RESULTS: The C. pneumoniae organisms which formed intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in HeLa cells were negative on iodine stain. In Giemsa-stained preparation, the inclusion bodies of variable sizes with a bluish purple color were identified in the cytoplasm of infected HeLa cells. After 6 hrs of infection, the elementary bodies with electron-dense spicule shaped substance of C. pneumoniae were enclosed by the HeLa cell membrane and were taken the host cell by endocytosis. After 24 hrs of infection, the electron-dense material in the elementary bodies were disappearing and the elementary bodies were transforming into reticulate bodies. After 48 hrs of infection, the reticulate bodies of C. pneumoniae were seen dividing by binary fission. Small electron-dense round bodies(miniature bodies) appeared near completion of division. After 72 hrs of infection. about half of the reticulate bodies were transformed into elementary bodies. Newly formed elementary bodies had a pear-shaped structure and large periplasmic space. After 96 hrs of infection. mature elementary bodies with condensed electron-dense material and a rigid outer membrane were observed. Miniature bodies were located in the cytoplasm of the elementary bodies. CONCLUSIONS: These unique morphological changes in HeLa cell culture show the developmental characteristics of C. pneumoniae.
Chlamydia* ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; Endocytosis ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Iodine ; Membranes ; Periplasm ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Tract Infections

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Hypercholesterolemia*

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to develop and test a prediction model for caregiving experiences including caregiving satisfaction and burden in dementia family caregivers. METHODS: The stress process model and a two factor model were used as the conceptual frameworks. Secondary data analysis was done with 320 family caregivers who were selected from the Seoul Dementia Management Survey (2014) data set. In the hypothesis model, the exogenous variable was patient symptomatology which included cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, dependency in activity of daily living and in instrumental activity of daily living. Endogenous variables were caregiver's perception of dementia patient's unmet needs, caregiving satisfaction and caregiving burden. Data were analysed using SPSS/WINdows and AMOS program. RESULTS: Caregiving burden was explained by patient symptomatology and caregiving satisfaction indicating significant direct effects and significant indirect effect from unmet needs. The proposed model explained 37.8% of the variance. Caregiving satisfaction was explained by patient symptomatology and unmet needs. Mediating effect of unmet needs was significant in the relationship between patient symptomatology and caregiving satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that interventions focusing on relieving caregiving burden and enhancing caregiver satisfaction should be provided to caregivers with high levels of dementia patients' unmet needs and low level of caregiving satisfaction.
Caregivers* ; Cognition Disorders ; Cost of Illness ; Dataset ; Dementia* ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Personal Satisfaction ; Problem Behavior ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic

Child ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans

Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Eosinophilia ; Hepatitis ; Humans

To understand the infection process, the viral multiplication and entry to the cell is widely studied. The Ebola virus nucleoprotein is the important problem for the pathological process. Focusing on the specific biological process, the post translational modification is needed. Here, the authors used the bioinformatics study to find the phosphorylation sites within the Ebola virus nucleoprotein and could identify many new sites.

Blood Donors ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Interferons ; Interleukins ; Prevalence

Purpose: This study examined whether the motivation for rehabilitation influences the functional performance of stroke patients. Methods: To elucidate the same, correlation analysis between the ‘rehabilitation motivation level’ and ‘functional performance improvement’ was performed. Thirty-three stroke patients, who were hospitalized in rehabilitation and nursing hospitals, were enrolled in this study. Functional performance was assessed using the 10MWT, FRT, and the BBS. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the reactivation symptoms and rehabilitation therapy at four weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the reactivation symptoms and rehabilitation therapy, as evidenced by the 10MWT, FRT, and BBS (8-12 weeks 10M gait test, Berg balance scale for 4-8 weeks, and 8-12 weeks). The FRT did not reveal any significant correlation between the rehabilitation program and reactivation. Conclusion The present study confirmed that a higher motivation for rehabilitation in stroke patients resulting in a higher likelihood of it acting as a factor in improving their functional ability. Based on the above-mentioned results, this study suggests that a rehabilitation program could be considered for the motivation of patients to participate in a rehabilitation program.

Purpose: This study examined whether the motivation for rehabilitation influences the functional performance of stroke patients. Methods: To elucidate the same, correlation analysis between the ‘rehabilitation motivation level’ and ‘functional performance improvement’ was performed. Thirty-three stroke patients, who were hospitalized in rehabilitation and nursing hospitals, were enrolled in this study. Functional performance was assessed using the 10MWT, FRT, and the BBS. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the reactivation symptoms and rehabilitation therapy at four weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the reactivation symptoms and rehabilitation therapy, as evidenced by the 10MWT, FRT, and BBS (8-12 weeks 10M gait test, Berg balance scale for 4-8 weeks, and 8-12 weeks). The FRT did not reveal any significant correlation between the rehabilitation program and reactivation. Conclusion The present study confirmed that a higher motivation for rehabilitation in stroke patients resulting in a higher likelihood of it acting as a factor in improving their functional ability. Based on the above-mentioned results, this study suggests that a rehabilitation program could be considered for the motivation of patients to participate in a rehabilitation program.

Objective: To demonstrate the association between the physical and functional characteristics of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and suicidality, an area of research that is less understood than the association with demographic, social, and psychological characteristics. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 259 patients with SCI admitted for rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, between January 2019 and December 2021. Demographic, SCI-related, physical, and functional data were collected from their medical records. Suicide risk was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: The 259 participants had an average age of 49.1 years, and 75.7% were male. The analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between age and suicidality. No significant differences were found for sex, education, occupation, or SCI-related factors. Lower upper extremity motor score (UEMS) was significantly associated with higher suicide risk. Regarding functional factors, the inability to perform independent rolling, come to sit, wheelchair propelling, and self-driving were associated with increased suicidality. In the multiple linear regression analysis, lower UEMS, limited shoulder joint motion, upper extremity spasticity, and dependent wheelchair propulsion were predictors of higher suicide risk. Conclusion This study highlights the associations among physical status, functional dependency, and suicide risk in individuals with SCI. These findings emphasize the need to address psychological aspects and physical and functional factors in the management of individuals with SCI who are at a high risk of suicide.