No abstract available.
Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Vaccination*

No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Electrophoresis* ; Genes, ras* ; Humans* ; Point Mutation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

No abstract available.
Adrenocortical Carcinoma* ; Stomach Neoplasms*

Lawsonia intracellularis is not culturable with a standard bacteriologic culture. One step PCR assay as a clinical diagnostic method was developed for the rapid detection of porcine proliferative enteritis (PPE) caused by L. intracellularis. Primers were designed based on the p78 DNA clone of L. intracellularis. The one step PCR resulted in the formation of a specific 210-bp DNA product derived from L. intracellularis. The nonspecific amplification product was not detected with swine genomic DNA or other bacterial strains causing similar symptoms to L. intracellularis infection. The one step PCR was as sensitive as 100 pg of L. intracellularis genomic DNA. We applied this method to field specimens diagnosed as PPE by macroscopic observation. Of 17 mucosal scraping specimens, 16(94%) were identified as positive to PPE and 15(88%) of 17 feces specimens. These results suggest that the one step PCR can be used as a rapid diagnostic method for L. intracellularis infection.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Desulfovibrionaceae Infections/diagnosis/*veterinary ; Ileum/microbiology/pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology/pathology ; Lawsonia Bacteria/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*diagnosis/microbiology

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness and radiologic findings of CT in the diagnosis of orbital blow-outfracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with orbital blow-out fractures diagnosed by clinicalfindings and CT were evaluated retrospectively. On CT images, we evaluated the site and frequency of fracture,herniation of orbital fat, extraocular muscle abnormality, intraorbital hematoma, and intrasinus hemorrhage. RESULTS: Forty-eight sites of orbital wall fractures were seen. Of these, 25(52.1%) were observed at the medialwall and 18(37.5%) at the inferior wall. Combined fracture of the medial and inferior wall was seen in fivecases(10.4%), and orbital fat herniation to adjacent sinuses in 25. Associated extraocular muscle abnormalitieswere seen at the medial rectus (n=20) and inferior rectus muscle(n=18). Intrasinus hemorrhage was seen in 15cases, and intraorbital hematoma in five. CONCLUSION: CT is a useful diagnostic modality for the evaluation oforbital blow-out fracture and associated soft tissue abnormalities.
Diagnosis ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous dermatoses of skin and mucosa characterized by loss of adhesion between keratinocytes, a process known as acantholysis. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, may participate in pathogenesis of intercellular detachment and loss of cell-matrix interaction. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the induction of apoptosis in the pemphigus lesional epidermis and to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by pemphigus sera. METHODS: Hoechst 33342 staining was performed to determine the induction of apoptosis in the pemphigus lesional epidermis. In addition, we used HaCaT cells treated with pemphigus sera and analyzed the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and bcl-2, bcl-xL, bax, bak by the RT-PCR method. RESULTS: In Hoechst 33342 staining, typical findings of apoptosis were observed in the pemphigus lesional epidermis showing acantholysis. RT-PCR showed the upregulation of caspase group (caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9), the downregulation of antiapoptotic bcl-2 family (bcl-2, bcl-xL) and the upregulation of proapoptotic bcl-2 family (bax, bak). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis may be associated with acantholysis of pemphigus lesional epidermis and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pemphigus.
Acantholysis ; Apoptosis* ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 8 ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Death ; Down-Regulation ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Mucous Membrane ; Pemphigus* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous ; Up-Regulation

Intussusception and Meckel's diverticulum are very rare disorders in intrauterine or neonatal periods, which are causes of intestinal obstruction. We experienced a case of intussusception due to Meckel's diverticulum which caused intestinal obstruction in the neonate who had bilious vomiting a few hours after birth. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intussusception* ; Meckel Diverticulum* ; Parturition ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Thorax*

BACKGROUND: It has been recommended that lightwand tracheal intubation be used for cases in which there is difficult airway management. Transillumination of the soft tissue of the neck by the lightwand can lead to successful intubation; however, this depends on skin color, obesity, head position, angle and the bent length of the lightwand. The goal of this study was to compare the success rates of intubation on the first attempt and complications of lightwand orotracheal intubation that occurred when using the lightwand at angles of 60 degrees and 90 degrees. METHODS: One hundred forty eight patients of ASA physical status 1 or 2 were enrolled in this study. Patients in whom intubation had previously been difficult as well as patients who had the potential for difficult intubation were excluded from this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: The lightwand bent in 60 degrees (LW60) group and the lightwand bent in 90degrees (LW90) group. Anesthesia was performed using propofol (2 mg/kg), fentanyl (1microg/kg) and rocuronium (0.9 mg/kg), and lightwand orotracheal intubation was attempted 2 minutes after the induction of anesthesia. The success rates of intubation, the number of attempts and their duration, as well as hemodynamic changes, resistance to the tube and complications that occurred during the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: In the LW90 group, resistance to the tube during lightwand intubation occurred in a significant number of patients (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups with regard to the intubation success rates on the first attempt, the duration of intubation, hemodynamic changes and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Their were no significant differences observed between intubation success rates on first attempt and complications when using a lightwand bent to 60 degrees or 90 degrees in patients without any previously known airway abnormalities.
Airway Management ; Anesthesia ; Fentanyl ; Head ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Neck ; Obesity ; Propofol ; Skin ; Transillumination

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists could dispense medicines without doctors' prescription in Korea before July 2000. The aim of this study was to compare the prescription behaviors of practicing doctors and pharmacists to common cold by the simulated patients. We selected the common cold as a subject of simulation because it was the most frequent health problem to visit doctors and pharmacists and the abuse of antibiotics might be prevalent in management of it. METHODS: Seventy five private clinics and drug stores were selected in Seoul, Korea. The simulated patients were selected and trained standardized symptoms of common cold. The simulated patients recorded the prescription behaviors of doctors and pharmacists. RESULTS: Average number of prescribed medicines were 5.0 and 5.6 in clinic and drug store respectively. 54.7% of the clinics and 61.3% of the drug stores prescribed antibiotics respectively with no significant difference between them. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were penicillines. About 7% of the doctors and 11% of the pharmacist prescribed glucocorticoid to simulated patients respectively. About 20% of the pharmacists performed some kinds of physical examination to the simulated patients. Both doctors and pharmacist gave little information or advice on use of medicines, possible side effects and past side effects of medicines. CONCLUSION: There were frequent abuse of antibiotics and occasional use of glucocorticoid in private clinics and drug stores. Both doctors and pharmacists did not give enough information on use of medicines to the simulated patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Common Cold* ; Humans ; Korea ; Patient Simulation ; Penicillins ; Pharmacists* ; Physical Examination ; Prescriptions* ; Seoul