BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are increasing numbers of North Korean defectors, and their health status differs from that of the South Korean population. This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of North Korean defectors visiting a single tertiary hospital in South Korea. METHODS: The medical records of North Korean defectors who visited Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, South Korea from 1 February 2006 to 30 April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Their comorbidities, main reasons for the visit, and most common diseases were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 169 North Korean defectors (163 females, 6 males) visited our hospital. Sixty-eight patients (40.24%) had comorbidities, the most common of which was tuberculosis (13.60%), followed by chronic hepatitis B (10.06%) and chronic hepatitis C (9.47%). North Korean refugees visited the department of ophthalmology (15.71%) most frequently, followed by gastroenterology (15.18%). Cataracts, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, and pulmonary tuberculosis were the most common reasons for the hospital visit. Chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C were diagnosed in 19.32% and 17.58% of the patients, respectively. Sixteen patients (9.47%) were diagnosed with tuberculosis, and eight of these patients showed multidrug resistance. Of all 169 patients, 17 underwent colonofibroscopy or stool examination, and parasites (Trichuris trichiura, n = 6; Clonorchis sinensis, n = 1) were found in 7 patients (41.18%). CONCLUSIONS: Most North Korean defectors who visited this tertiary hospital in South Korea were female, and they mainly visited the departments of ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology. Compared with South Koreans, they showed high rates of chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, pulmonary tuberculosis with multidrug resistance, and parasite infection.
Cataract ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Comorbidity ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea* ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Female ; Gastroenterology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Ophthalmology ; Parasites ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Refugees ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Few reports have documented the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of adult patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection. METHODS: Medical records of patients over 18 years of age and suspected of having an E. meningoseptica infection from March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Their clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility results, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: E. meningoseptica was isolated from 30 patients. Median age was 68.5 years, and infections were more frequent in males (17, 56.7%). The most common isolation source was sputum (23, 76.7%), and pneumonia was the most common condition (21, 70%) after excluding two cases of colonization. This bacterium was most susceptible to minocycline (27, 90%) and fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin (20, 66.7%) and ciprofloxacin (18, 60%). The mortality rate due directly to E. meningoseptica infection was 20% (6/30), and uncontrolled pneumonia was the only cause of death. After isolating E. meningoseptica, the numbers of patients with pneumonia (9/9, 100% vs. 12/21, 57.1%), history of hemodialysis (5/9, 55.6% vs. 3/21, 14.3%), tracheostomy (8/9, 88.9 vs. 10/21, 47.6%), and median Charlson comorbidity index score (6 [range, 3-9] vs. 4 [range, 0-9]) were significantly higher in non-survivors than those in survivors (p < 0.05, for each). However, only 12 (40%) patients received appropriate antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: E. meningoseptica infection most commonly presented as pneumonia in adults with severe underlying diseases. Despite the high mortality rate, the rate of appropriate antibiotic use was notably low.
Adult* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cause of Death ; Chryseobacterium ; Ciprofloxacin ; Colon ; Comorbidity ; Cross Infection ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Medical Records ; Minocycline ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Survivors ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Tracheostomy

To evaluate the several clinicopathological factors and the expression of P-glycoprotein that influence the survival rate of the patients with colorectal cancer, 168 patients with colonic adenocarcinoma, who were operated in Wonkwang University Hospital from January, 1982 to July 1992 were reviewed. The staging of the tumors were performed according to Astler Coller modification of Dukes classification of colon carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for P-glycoprotein test was performed with the specimen of Dukes B2 and C of patient who were received postoperative chemotherapy(ACNU+5FU intravenously or oral 5FU) and/or immunotherapy(PSK or OK-432) over 4 months. P-glycoprotein positive was defined when the tumor cells more than 20% showed red dot in the cytoplasm. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS for windows and cumulative survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. 1) Age: under 60 years(n=76) 80.2%, over 60 years(n=61) 72.8%(P>0.05). 2) Sex: male (n=67) 83.2%, female(n=70) 70.7%(P>0.05). 3) The duration of symptoms: under 3 months(n=67) 74.9%, over 3 months(n=70) 79.0% (P>0.05). 4) The location of tumor: left colon(n=45) 85.7%, right colon(n=33) 75.5%, rectum(n=59) 71.7%(P>0.05). 5) The histologic types: well differentiated(n=116) 77.0%, poor differentiated(n=21) 76.2%(P>0.05%). 6) Lymph node metastasis: negative nodes(n=98) 82.7%, positive nodes(n=39) 62.2%(P<0.05). 7) Depth of invasion: below muscular layer(n=29) 82.1%, over subserosal layer(n=108) 75.7% (P>0.05). 8) Chemotherapy +/- Immunotherapy: In stsge B2, receiving group(n=47) 82.6%, not receiving group(n=17) 74.3%(P>0.05). In stage C, receiving group(n=27) 65.8%, not receiving group (n=11) 53%(P>0.05). 9) P-glycoprotein: In stage B2 and C1, positive expression(n=15) 66.7%, negative expression (n=26) 84.6%(P>0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the positive lymph node was independendently correlated with survival. We think that the prognosis of colonic adenocarcinoma are related with lymph node metastasis and the further prospective study are needed for evaluation of the relationship between the prognosis and p-glycoprotein expression.
Adenocarcinoma ; Classification ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cytoplasm ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; P-Glycoprotein ; Prognosis* ; Survival Rate

It is well known that malnutrition is a predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients. The number of diabetic nephropathy patients is increasing rapidly. This study aimed to investigate nutritional status and nutrient intake according to the presence of diabetes among hemodialysis patients. The nutritional intake and general characteristics of outpatients at Ajou University Hospital (24 with diabetes and 30 without diabetes) were investigated between July and September 2015. Patients' general data were collected, and nutritional status by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was evaluated. Nutrient intakes were assessed according to 3-day food records. There was no significant difference regarding body weight between the two groups. However, the non-diabetic group showed a better nutritional status by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) (5.2±4.4 vs. 8.0±4.3 score, non-diabetics vs. diabetics, P<0.05). There was no difference in daily calorie intake (1,473.9±370.5 vs. 1,503.8±397.5 kcal) and protein intake (60.3±19.7 vs. 65.6±20.5 g) in those with diabetes. Intakes of vegetables protein, sodium, potassium, vitamin C, folic acid and fiber were significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to those of the non-diabetic group. There was no difference in daily nutrient intake between the hemodialysis weekday and weekend groups. The non-diabetic group had higher calorie and sodium intakes per meal in the hemodialysis weekday group, but the difference was not significant. Based on these results, intervention should be performed to improve nutritional status in consideration of diabetes and dietary patterns.
Ascorbic Acid ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; Meals ; Mortality ; Nutritional Status* ; Outpatients ; Potassium ; Prospective Studies* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Sodium ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity and polymorphism in placental tissues of women with preeclampsia and to evaluate oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. METHODS: Urins and placental tissues were obtained from 20 normal and 20 preeclamptic women at 3rd trimester. Urinary MDA was assayed by an high performanance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The placental Mn-SOD activity was assayed by westen blotting and The placental Mn-SOD genotyping was assayed by PCR-RFLP. Data were analyzed statistically using Student's t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: 1) Urinary concentration of MDA was not significantly different in preeclampsia (4.43+/-2.37 ug/g) as compared with normotensive pregnancy (4.39+/-1.17 ug/g). 2) Preeclamptic women had similar Mn-SOD activity in placenta (1.04+/-0.04U/mL protein) as compared with normotensive pregnancy (1.44+/-0.34 U/mL protein). 3) No significant difference in the polymorphismthe of Mn-SOD genotype in placenta was observed between preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy (X2=0.06, p>0.05) CONCLUSION: The findings in this study do not show that oxidative stress might be a pathogenetically relevent process causally contributing to the disease, and polymorphism in the Mn-SOD genotype in placenta do not seem to be risk factors for preeclampsia.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Placenta ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy* ; Risk Factors ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides*

It is very rare for the primary lung cancer to metastasize to gastrointestinal tract, which has poor prognosis. A 72-year-old man admitted with dyspnea and a mass lesion in the left lower lobe on chest roentgenogram and chest computed tomogram(CT). Large cell carcinoma of the lung was diagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy. Also gastroduodenoscopy was conducted for evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as indigestion and epigastric discomfort. Large cell carcinoma of duodenum was diagnosed by biopsy of duodenal polyp, which was considered to be metastasized from the primary lung cancer. Palliative radiation therapy was performed, but he died 2 months after diagnosis. We report a rare case of large cell carcinoma of the lung with metastasis to uodenum.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Large Cell* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum* ; Dyspepsia ; Dyspnea ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Microcirculation ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Polyps ; Prognosis ; Thorax

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) present with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy alone. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical features of these unusual KD patients and determine whether this is a severe form of KD associated with increased risks of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and coronary artery lesions (CALs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 146 children with KD were reviewed retrospectively, and classified into two groups according to initial clinical features. Those presenting with only fever and cervical lymphadenopathy (LKD) were classified as LKD patients. Other-KD patients included all except the LKD patients. RESULTS: Among 146 KD patients, 13 (8.9%) were classified as LKD patients. The LKD patients were significantly older and admitted earlier. The duration between fever onset and KD diagnosis was significantly longer in the LKD patients (5.9 days vs. 4.9 days, p=0.023). The frequency of IVIG resistance was not different between the two groups., In the LKD patients, the incidence of CALs was significantly higher in the acute phase, and without significant difference in the convalescent phase. The percentage of neutrophils and C-reactive protein, albumin, and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in LKD patients. CONCLUSION: Even though LKD patients were older, admitted earlier, and had higher inflammatory marker levels, they did not have a greater risk of CALs or IVIG resistance. However, echocardiography may be helpful in the acute stage if patients have only fever and cervical lymphadenopathy and are unresponsive to empirical antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bilirubin ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Fever* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Neck ; Neutrophils ; Retrospective Studies

We report on a 64-year-old man with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated adenocarcinoma of the lung. He was treated with paclitaxel, cisplatin. After completion of chemotherapy, he complained of headache, nausea, and vomiting. EGFR-mutated tumor cells were identified from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Second-line therapy with gefitinib, methotrexate was started. After receiving gefitinib for 4 weeks, he had no more headaches or vomiting. Eleven months after initiation of gefitinib, he developed headache and nausea. Chest computed tomography showed aggravation of bone metastasis. Third-line therapy was started with gemcitabine and carboplatin. Two weeks later, he experienced disorientation. After a fourth relapse within the central nervous system, the therapy was switched to erlotinib and significant improvement of LM was achieved. This case shows that LM can be diagnosed by detecting EGFR mutation in CSF and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective for LM from EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carboplatin ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Headache ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Methotrexate ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Paclitaxel ; Phosphotransferases* ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Recurrence ; Thorax ; Vomiting

P7C3 and its derivatives, 1-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-3-(p-tolylamino)propan-2-ol (1) and N-(3-(3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (2), were previously reported to increase neurogenesis in rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Although P7C3 is known to increase neurogenesis by protecting newborn neurons, it is not known whether its derivatives also have protective effects to increase neurogenesis. In the current study, we examined how 1 induces neurogenesis. The treatment of 1 in NSCs increased numbers of cells in the absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), while not affecting those in the presence of growth factors. Compound 1 did not induce astrocytogenesis during NSC differentiation. 5-Bromo-2\'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulsing experiments showed that 1 significantly enhanced BrdU-positive neurons. Taken together, our data suggest that 1 promotes neurogenesis by the induction of final cell division during NSC differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Division* ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurogenesis* ; Neurons ; Rats