Obstruction of the inferior vena cava may presented with unusual and varied pathologic condition and be due to thrombus, extension of tumor, extrinsic compression, or intrinsic caval disease. Thrombus is major cause of obstruction of the inferior vena cava and congenital absence of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation is extremely rare. In congenital absence of the inferior vena cava (Infrahepatic interruption of inferior vena cava with azygos continuation), infrahepatic inferior vena cava is obliterated but infrarenal portion of the inferior vena cava is patent. In this anormaly, blood from the lower extremities and kidney drained into azygous vein and hemiazygous vein via ascending lumbar vein which eventually into the superior vena cava. These anormaly is seen in 0.6% of patients with congenital heart disease, particularly in cases of polysplenia. We experienced one case of congenital absence of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava, which involved infrarenal portion and the common iliac vein with azygos continuation in 63-year-old male. He was complained of lower abdominal pain, constipation. We report this case with reviewing literatures.
Abdominal Pain ; Constipation ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Iliac Vein ; Kidney ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior* ; Vena Cava, Superior

BACKGROUND: Although human parasitic infestations have decreased generally in Korea, Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, Cysticercus and Sparganum are still a serious concern due to their relatively high prevalence and severe complications. A definitive diagnosis, however cumbersome and occasionally invasive, is required in order to detect adult worms, eggs, or cysts. The parasite-specific IgG antibody (PSA) test using the ELISA method has been recently developed to diagnose and monitor the infestations of those four parasites. We analysed PSA positive patients for Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, Cysticercus and Sparganum. METHODS: The serum samples referred to the Neodin Medical Institute for PSA were tested by the ELISA method using crude extracts of C. sinensis, P. westermani, Sparganum and cystic fluid of Cysticercus. The PSA results during the 7-month period from January to July 2001 were retrospectively analysed. The medical records of the patients at Asan Medical Center (AMC) with positive PSA were reviewed with stool examinations for parasites, skin tests for C. sinensis and P. west-ermani, radiological findings and antiparasitic management. RESULTS: A total of 865 specimens were tested for PSA and 84 samples (9.7%) of 76 patients were positive; C. sinensis, Cysticercus, Sparganum, and P. westermani were positive in 26 patients (3.0%), 26 (3.0%), 14 (1.6%) and 10 (1.2%), respectively. 26 specimens from 18 AMC patients were positive for one or more PSA; 6 Cysticercus. 4 C. sinensis, 5 Sparganum and 3 P. westermani. All PSA-positive cases for Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani were compatible with the clinical diagnosis; however, it was difficult to elucidate in the clinical correlation of 3 out of 5 Sparganum-positive cases. CONCLUSION: Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani are currently prevalent in Korea. Positive PSA ELISA tests for Cysticercus, C. sinensis and P. westermani are reliable indicators in diagnosing present infestations among the clinically suspected patients.
Adult ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Clonorchis sinensis* ; Complex Mixtures ; Cysticercus* ; Diagnosis ; Eggs ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Ovum ; Paragonimus westermani* ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Tests ; Sparganum*

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe changes in positive psychological capital, organizational commitment and burnout according to work periods for new nurses. Methods: A longitudinal study was done using surveys of 91 nurses from a tertiary hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. Data were collected from these newly graduated nurses during the period from July 2018 to September 2019, three times (2 months, 4 months and 6 months after starting to work). Results: Hope of positive psychological capital decreased after 6 months of work (F=7.11, p=.001) and organizational commitment decreased after 4 months of work (F=15.30, p<.001). Factors influencing participants' burnout included the optimism of positive psychological capital and continuance of organizational commitment. These factors explained 51.3% of the variance in burnout (F=48.47, p<.001). Conclusion Organizational support for new nurses is urgently needed. It is necessary to develop programs to strengthen the positive psychological capital of newly graduated nurses to reduce their burnout and to help their job adaptation.

PURPOSE : Since the year 2000, lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death in South Korea and also in many other parts of the world. MATERIALS AND METHODS : We developed a multidisciplinary (MD) care system for lung cancer patients in 1996. Here, we report the results obtained in the process of development of MD team (MDT). RESULTS : The MDT was launched with including medical doctors, chest surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists and physician assistants. To facilitate co-operation between the MDT members, a specialized out-patient clinic was located within a sector of the hospital. A common ward was allocated for lung cancer patients regardless of the department of the attending physician. Shared electronic medical record forms that were specialized for lung cancer were developed. The MDT operates weekly lung cancer conferences and multidisciplinary out-patient clinics. To make diagnostic or therapeutic decisions early on, the electronic medical records of the patients were previewed or consulted by the specialists before they meet the individual patients. CONCLUSION : Despite every effort, we still need to shorten the waiting time from presentation to the first treatment and we need to improve the patients' satisfaction. We also have a mission to develop our own regulations and guidelines for our lung cancer MD care system. Clinical trials and basic research should also be encouraged along with improving the quality of life of the team members
Congresses as Topic ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Missions and Missionaries ; Nuclear Medicine ; Outpatients ; Physician Assistants ; Quality of Life ; Republic of Korea ; Social Control, Formal ; Specialization ; Thorax

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men worldwide. ED is now considered an early manifestation of atherosclerosis, and consequently, a precursor of systemic vascular disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of male silkworm pupa powder (SWP) on the levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, nitrite, and glutathione (GSH); lipid peroxidation; libido; and erectile response of the corpus cavernosum of the rat penis. We induced ED in the study animals by oral administration of 20% ethanol over 8 weeks. The SWP-treated male rats were divided into 3 groups that were orally administered 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. The libido of the SWP-administered male rats was higher than that of the ethanol control group. In addition, the erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored in males on SWP administration, to a level similar to that of the normal group without ED. The testosterone concentration did not increase significantly. The lipid peroxidation in the corpus cavernosum of the male rats administered SWP decreased significantly. In contrast, compared to the ethanol group, SWP-administered male rats showed increased GSH levels in the corpus cavernosum. The level of nitrite and NOS expression in the corpus cavernosum of SWP-administered male rats increased significantly. These results indicated that SWP effectively restored ethanol-induced ED in male rats.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Bombyx ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Ethanol ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Libido ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Penis ; Pupa ; Rats ; Testosterone ; Vascular Diseases

OBJECTIVE: Low-dose aspirin have been proposed to improving endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rate in COH-IVF by increasing endometrial perfusion. However, the effect of low-dose aspirin in COH-IVF could be negligible because there have been large quantity of other important factors responsible for changing endometrial perfusion accompanied by COH procedure. In contrast, in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles which were not accompanied by COH procedure, the effects of low-dose aspirin in endometrial blood flow seems to be more certain than in COH-IVF cycles. In this study, we analyzed the effect of low-dose aspirin treatment on implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2003, total 264 cycles from 264 patients who attended infertility clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital were enrolled in this study. All cases included in this study, embryos were frozen and thawed at the pronuclear stage and three days after incubation, at least 2 or more good quality embryos were transferred into uterus. In study group, low dose aspirin (100 mg/day) was administrated from the first or second date of menstrual day to 9 days after embryo transfer. On the other hand, control group did not take any medicine except estradiol valerate for endometrial priming. Several variables including implantation and pregnancy rates were compared in both groups. After then, each groups were stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer (ET) day such as (28 mm versus <8 mm) and same variables above described were compared between study and control groups. RESULTS: The mean age, infertility duration, endometrial thickness at embryo transfer day and mean number of transferred embryo were not significantly different in both groups. Also, implantation rates (study group: 15.8%, control group: 20.5%) and pregnancy rate (study group: 45.1%, control group: 43.5%) were not significantly different between two groups. (p>0.05) After we analyzed same variables stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer day, we could not found any significant difference between study and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose aspirin treatment seems to have no advantage of improving implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer.
Aspirin* ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Estradiol ; Hand ; Humans ; Infertility ; Perfusion ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Uterus

Constipation is one of the most common functional digestive complaints worldwide. We investigated the laxative effects of figs (Ficus carica L) in a beagle model of constipation induced by high protein diet and movement restriction. The experiments were consecutively conducted over 9 weeks divided into 3 periods of 3 weeks each. All 15 beagles were subjected to a non-treatment (control) period, a constipation induction period, and a fig paste treatment period. We administered fig paste (12 g/kg daily, by gavage) for 3 weeks following a 3-week period of constipation induction in dogs. Segmental colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by counting radiopaque markers (Kolomark) using a radiograph performed every 6 h after feeding Kolomark capsules, until capsules were no longer observed. Fig paste significantly increased fecal quantity in constipated dogs, and segmental CTT was also reduced following fig paste administration. There were no significant differences in feed intake, water intake, body weight, or blood test results, between the constipation and fig paste administration periods. Our results demonstrate that fig is an effective treatment for constipation in beagles. Specifically, stool weight increased and segmental CTT decreased. Fig pastes may be useful as a complementary medicine in humans suffering from chronic constipation.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Capsules ; Carica ; Colon ; Complementary Therapies ; Constipation ; Diet ; Dogs ; Drinking ; Ficus ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Ointments ; Stress, Psychological

Isolated relapse of myeloid leukemia as a granulocytic sarcoma(GS) following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation(BMT) is very rare manifestation, and usually associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of isolated intracranial GS in an infant with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS) following unrelated BMT. A 7 month-old girl was diagnosed with refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB). During observation for a couple months several GS developed in the scalp and blast counts in BM increased. Induction chemotherapy resulted in partial remission of BM but GS disappeared. Four months after diagnosis, an unrelated BMT was undertaken. Engraftment was uneventful. On D+160, an intracranial GS of 6.5 cm in size developed. A craniotomy and tumor removal was done. There was no evidence of relapse in BM with complete chimerism. Reinduction chemotherapy using IDA-FLAG resulted in profound neutropenia with pneumonia. She succumbed to respiratory failure despite leukocyte recovery. The optimal management for isolated relapse as GS following BMT should be established.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Bone Marrow Transplantation